As a long-time fan, I’m so excited to hear that after 75 years of being a radio staple, The Archers is finally hitting the road! For the first time ever, eight of the actors are touring the UK from June to November with a live show. It sounds amazing – they’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes stories, showing off old recordings, even demonstrating how they create all those iconic sound effects, from lambs being born to pulling a pint at The Bull. And get this – they’re including a pub quiz and mini-episodes based around the famous Ambridge Flower & Produce Show! It’s a fantastic way to bring the world of The Archers to life for fans like me.
The actors are divided into two groups, and each group will perform shows in sets of three at different locations, with breaks in between to allow for regular program recording. While one group – featuring the actors who play Brian Aldridge and Lilian Bellamy – will perform in Manchester, Stoke, and Truro, another group with David Archer and the shopkeeper Susan will be performing in Cambridge, Glasgow, and Ipswich.
Putting on the radio show is tricky because it involves a large cast of about 60 people, but only around 20 typically record each week. This creates challenges for the performers when they’re on tour, as they have to keep track of what the audience already knows from previously recorded episodes.
Susie Riddell, who plays Tracy Horrobin, explained that it’s always challenging when she’s familiar with a script before it’s aired. She added that the cast will need to be careful to avoid spoilers, and they’ll likely be reading scripts together on the bus between theaters.
Annabelle Dowler describes the tour as something fun and lively, like an ice cream van with a catchy tune and everyone joining in. She jokingly compares it to a ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ tour, wondering if there will be any on-tour drama, and playfully asks Ben Norris if he’ll be the source of it. Ben, who shares a name with the character Ben Archer, is a paramedic passionate about mental health. Dowler then wonders if they’ll tire of repeating the same stories, to which Ben suggests they simply create new ones, pointing out the gaps between shows will likely mean they won’t even remember what they’ve already said.
Charles Collingwood, who plays Brian Aldridge, jokes, ‘I certainly don’t!’ He’s turning 83 during the tour and playfully suggests the producers thought, ‘Let’s give the old guy one last chance – and then we’re done!’ Sunny Ormonde, who plays Lilian, offers a reassuring response: ‘We’ll be alright, as long as we remember to take our medicine.’
“I’ll be on antihistamines,” chimes in Riddell, “because Ryan is bringing his assistance dog.”
That’s Ryan Kelly, who plays Jazzer McCreary, and he’s known for having an incredible memory for storylines, despite being blind. The other cast members are hoping the quiz doesn’t test them on details – Charlotte Martin, who plays Susan Carter, admits she struggles with recall, even on the Archers podcast. She says she can’t even remember events from two years ago.
Did everyone agree to take on this extra work? “No,” Riddell replies, jokingly suggesting, like Lynda Bellingham’s character, that perhaps some money was involved. Several other cast members add that they were likely the most affordable option and readily available.
It feels a bit like everyone’s working in separate groups, partly because the show has several different stories happening at the same time, and the characters don’t always interact. Kelly mentioned she hasn’t filmed a scene with Ben since last August. Norris added that he’d only just had his first conversation with Alice, which surprised Kelly, who reminded him they’re supposed to be cousins!
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The group is excited to connect with listeners, but Dowler admits they’re often a hidden pleasure for people. Martin fondly recalls a play from the 1990s, written by Ted Kelsey, who also played Joe Grundy. He particularly remembers a performance in Hull where the audience was largely made up of truck drivers, many of whom confessed to listening to The Archers while on the road.
Archers has been attracting a younger audience recently, though its listeners still range widely in age – from baby boomers to members of Gen Z. Collingwood fondly remembers a past cruise with Saga, describing the older women on board as “blonde with grief,” a comment that fits his character’s observant nature.
Other long-time cast members, like Tim Bentinck who plays David Archer, also recall times when they spent a lot of time meeting fans.
We used to do meet-and-greets when the podcast was really taking off, and it was always great to connect with listeners. But I was always a little anxious about whether we’d match their expectations. I remember one time at Butlins, a woman was really upset and told me I’d ruined something for her. I tried to explain that there are so many different ways to imagine someone, and her image of ‘David’ could still exist. She started crying, and it turned out her husband was named David and had passed away. I felt terrible!
You know, as someone who’s been following the industry for a while, I always find it fascinating when newcomers talk about initial impressions. Norris recently shared a story about starting out and how they used to get a disclaimer on Twitter – a warning that their posts ‘contained pictures!’ It was a funny way of acknowledging the pressure to present a certain image, almost like they were preemptively apologizing if people didn’t find everyone conventionally attractive. It really struck me as a smart observation about the performative side of things.
I’m really curious about what they’re going to wear on stage! Bentinck was saying he’s deciding between looking the part with a more country outfit – like a Barbour jacket and corduroys – or just being himself in jeans. Norris, though, is definitely not dressing down in scrubs! He said he’ll probably just aim for a slightly tidier version of his usual style.
Riddell explains she’ll get into character for scenes by wearing her Tracy shoes and doing the voice of the character. She adds, switching into the accent, ‘I’ll do the Tracy voice.’ She rarely gets recognized in public, it’s usually just the voice people know.’
I’m really impressed with Ormonde’s portrayal of Lilian. She truly embodies a glamorous spirit, even though I’ve heard she’s quite down-to-earth normally. She told me she feels a duty to bring that sparkle to the role, and actually uses some of her glamorous stage costumes to help her get into character – she does a one-woman show where she gets to really shine, and she brings that energy to Lilian too!
You know, people often say I resemble Michael Heseltine, which is… something. I’m even considering wearing a dinner jacket just to lean into it! It’s funny, because last year at a party, this woman actually ran across the lawn to tell me I was ‘almost famous’ but she couldn’t place my name, and then called me a disappointment. It was… a moment, let’s just say. It’s always interesting when someone recognizes your face but not who you are, you know?
The actors don’t really separate themselves from their roles, and they’re comfortable with that. Norris explains they all enjoy casual, playful banter, both as themselves and as their characters. Unlike some actors who prefer to stay strictly in character, they find it natural to blend the two, especially on a long-running show. He compares it to living alongside his character, Ben Archer, and aging together – it’s different from performing a play where you can completely leave the role behind after the show.
Kelly, sounding much like Jazzer, explains that their characters feel genuinely alive. Martin chimes in, describing the characters as feeling like a natural extension of themselves.
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There’s a warm connection between generations, with younger people enjoying the stories told by those with more experience. Bentinck jokes, “I remember when many of you were born!” Everyone, young and old, happily discusses the show’s storylines, including fond memories of the funny 1990s parody cartoons, ‘Unheard of Ambridge,’ which featured characters only talked about, never actually heard.
Let’s revisit the case of Farmer Mulligan, who was discovered dead in his barn a few months ago. His death conveniently allows his daughter, Esme, to become a new character, and it also provides a job for George Grundy, as the other villagers are unwilling to hire an ex-convict.
The Archers is a beloved national tradition, yet it’s also something many families enjoy together. So, the celebration is on! As Ormonde puts it, it’s a way of saying thank you to everyone who’s been a part of the show over the years.
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2026-06-03 10:12