Storylines

Sophie Barlow

Sophie was born in 1962, making her three years younger than David Archer. She was going out with David in 1983 when she was only 21. They met at a Young Farmers' dance and were together for three years.

Sophie was slim with red hair and has a sister called Chloe. Their father was an architect in the partnership of Barlow and Best and it was his death that prompted Sophie's return to the Ambridge area in 2006, to complete his charity work for Sundial House, a residential school for disabled children.

Sophie's mother Tiona (yes, with a T) was a music lover and had great difficulty in adjusting to her husband's death.

When she first went out with David, Sophie was attending art college, training to be an industrial designer, but very quickly changed her course to fashion and dress design. Although a talented designer, Sophie never appeared very bright and could play the little girl. She was sometimes flirtatious with Phil, telling him how nice he looked.

At first David and Sophie's relationship was a bit shaky, with David continuing to see his ex, Gemma King. Sophie delayed starting a sexual relationship with David because she was afraid that she wouldn't be "good enough". David discussed their personal problems with his mother, who told him to take his time.

They broke up for about a month but while they were watching a video of the 1986 royal wedding (Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson), David proposed to Sophie. They planned to marry at Felpersham Cathedral.

David asked Phil for a meeting of Ambridge Farmers Ltd and told Phil and Jill that he wanted to be made a director. His parents turned him down because if the marriage didn't work Sophie could take half of David's share of the farm. David was furious at the implication that his marriage might fail.

Elizabeth and Sophie set up a business together called "Fashion Events". Elizabeth was aware that Sophie was a good designer but felt she was rather stupid. Jill thoroughly enjoyed helping and Nelson invested in them. Susan Carter who in 1987 was young, pretty and very thin did some modelling. Sophie made bridesmaids' dresses for one of their other models: Shula. While Fashion Events was based at Brookfield, Nigel spent a lot of time there and was friendly with Sophie.

It was Sophie who unwittingly let the cat out of the bag about Caroline's affair with Brian, telling Jennifer that she had seen them together at an art auction. Later Jennifer placed a large order with Fashion Events. Brian told David that Sophie should be careful about making idle remarks.

David and Sophie's relationship finished after Sophie took a design job in London and discovered that living away from David and Ambridge gave her more confidence. It was Sophie who brought the relationship to an end but David was relieved when she did so.

Sophie visited Ambridge on 24 June 1987 when she attended Brookfield farmworker Jethro Larkin's funeral. She was very supportive towards David.

Ruth and Sophie had never met before Sophie's return in 2006.