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Longest serving characters on TA

• Message 1. 

  Posted by taddydogman (U13374770) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  After Sid's death had occurred on air, I recall reading that his character was the fifth longest serving on the programme. After some thought I concluded that the four senior to Sid would be Peggy, Christine, Jill, and Jack Woolley. But what I don't know is who now is in fifth place. Has anyone got any ideas?

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• Message 2

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  Posted by Gene Bailey (U2924633) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  I think you may have overlooked the longest serving of all - Norman Painting who played Phil Archer from the begining of time. Some of the other characters, have been played by more than one actor, eg Peggy Woolley (Thelma Rogers and June Spencer)and Jack Woolley (Philip Garston-Jones and Arnold Peters).

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• Message 3

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  Posted by taddydogman (U13374770) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  Sorry Gene, but I was referring specifically to characters who are still functioning in TA (yes I realise Jack Woolley is non compos mentis but he is still a character in the programme). I agree that some characters eg Christine have been played by more than one actor but that doesn't alter the fact that the character has been a part of The Archers.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by Tayler Cresswell - Host (U14232848) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  Hi taddy
  
  I'll see what I can find out about longest serving characters.
  
  I looked up a few of the longest serving actors, which may point to the same thing:
  
  June Spencer has been playing Peggy since the pilot episode
  Lesley Seward joined the cast in 1953 to play Christine
  Arnold Peters - now Jack Woolley - joined in 1953 to play farmhand Len Thomas, then in 1968 he played Rev David Latimer and then took a break betweenn 1973-88 when he returned to play Jack.
  Patricia Greene, has been Jill since 1956.
  Angela Piper, who plays Jennifer Aldridge, joined the cast in 1963 to play the "rebellious young schoolgirl", Jennifer Archer.
  
  Tayler
  

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by flameofthewest (U14483084) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  June Spencer has been playing Peggy since the pilot episode 
  
  Well, sort of. She had a break of several years in the late fifties, during which time the part was played by Thelma Rogers. However, she spent part of that time playing Rita Flynn instead.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by taddydogman (U13374770) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  Many thanks Tayler. I suspect that Jennifer will have replaced Sid as fifth longest serving character. Sid definitely arrived in Ambridge in 1963 and Jennifer seems to have started appearing in the cast later on that same year. But I shall be most interested to see what you can discover.

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by mike (U14258103) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:04 GMT, in reply to taddydogman in message 1
  
  I think you mean "longest serving actor". Lilian and Jenny were established as characters from the start although they were not heard to speak until later. In contrast, Sid wasn't heard of until he turned up in Ambridge in 1963. Similarly, Tony Archer's birth was announced on air in February 1951 so the character has clearly existed since then (and so on).

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• Message 8

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  Posted by Seveek (U13636812) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  There are different ways to interpret the question but I think you were asking who the long serving characters are after Sid. Silents not included.
  
  Those still appearing:
  
  June Spencer Peggy Woolley 1951-1953, 1962-present 50 years
  Lesley Saweard Christine Barford 1953-present 57 years
  Patricia Greene Jill Archer 1957-present 53 years
  Angela Piper Jennifer Aldridge 1963-present 47 years
  Colin Skipp Tony Archer 1967-present 43 years
  Judy Bennett Shula Hebden-Lloyd 1971-present 39 years
  Terry Molloy Mike Tucker 1973-present 37 years
  Brian Hewlett Neil Carter 1973-present 37 years
  Patricia Gallimore Pat Archer 1974-present 36 years
  Charles Collingwood Brian Aldridge 1975-present 35 years
  Arnold Peters Jack Woolley 1979-present 31 years
  Trevor Harrison Eddie Grundy 1979-present 31 years
  Sara Coward Caroline Sterling 1979-present 31 years
  Timothy Bentinck David Archer 1982-present 28 years
  Graham Seed Nigel Pargetter 1983-1986, 1992-present 21 years
  Alison Dowling Elizabeth Pargetter 1983-present 27 years
  Edward Kelsey Joe Grundy 1985-present 25 years
  Carole Boyd Lynda Snell 1986-present 24 years
  Felicity Finch Ruth Archer 1987-present 23 years
  Rosalind Adams Clarrie Grundy 1988-present 22 years
  
  These were also long serving:
  
  Norman Painting Phil Archer 1950-2009 59 years
  Denis Folwell Jack Archer 1951-1972 21 years
  Gwenda Wilson Aunt Laura Wilson 1951-1977 26 years
  Gwen Berryman Doris Archer 1951-1980 29 years
  George Hart Jethro Larkin 1951-1987 36 years
  Pauline Seville Mrs Perkins 1951-1990 39 years
  Bob Arnold Tom Forrest 1951-1998 47 years
  Chris Gittins Walter Gabriel 1953-1988 35 years
  Elizabeth Marlowe Lilian Archer 1961-1991 30 years
  Alan Devereux Sid Perks 1963-2010 47 years
  Mollie Harris Martha Woodford 1970-1995 25 years
  Margot Boyd Marjorie Antrobus 1984-2004 20 years
  

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by Seveek (U13636812) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010

  Well, of course, Jack Wooley arrived in ’62 so his character is 48 years. Always check before posting, I tell myself.

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by taddydogman (U13374770) on Wednesday, 6th October 2010

  Thanks for that Seveek. Just to clarify matters my OP was as you surmise concerned with characters rather than the actors who played them although, as has been pointed out, in some cases such as Jill (but not incidentally Christine) only one person has ever played the role.
  
  Some silents such as Mr Pullen have of course been around for years. In fact, I suspect he may be the longest silent in TA.

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by mike (U14258103) on Wednesday, 6th October 2010

  Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:21 GMT, in reply to taddydogman in message 10
  
  I think you have to make a distinction between characters who were "introduced" in the 1970s like the Grundys, Mr Pullen etc and somebody like Tony Archer who was mentioned on the day he was born in 1951 although (initially) there was no actor. Surely the character Tony Archer has been in TA since he was born? (Hence my point that most posters are discussing actors, not characters.)

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by taddydogman (U13374770) on Wednesday, 6th October 2010

  Of course, you are quite right Mike. But my OP referred to a statement put out by the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú in which it was quite clearly stated that Sid's character was the fifth most senior on TA. This has to mean characters who were a part of the actual cast list, not those whose existence was known about but who were not featured as characters. When Sid arrived in Ambridge in 1963 Jennifer, Lilian, Tony, Shula, Kenton and David were all "alive" but they were clearly discounted in the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's statement as they were not cast members.

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by flameofthewest (U14483084) on Wednesday, 6th October 2010

  Reply to Seveek N in message 9:
  
  Well, of course, Jack Wooley arrived in ’62 so his character is 48 years. 
  
  Yes, but he was originally played by Philip Garston-Jones. Arnold Peters only took the part over in 1979, hence the statement
  
  Arnold Peters Jack Woolley 1979-present 31 years
  
  is correct.
  
  There is a list on Wikipedia (this is first time I've tried to post a link so apologies if it doesn't work)
  
  
  
  which is pretty similar to the list you posted. It says it is a list of longest-serving actors, but it is clear from its content that it actually means actor/character combinations. For example it gives the dates Peggy was played by June Spencer, but doesn't include the period when Peggy was played by Thelma Rogers, or the dates between which June Spencer played Rita Flynn. I think the problem is the page as a whole is geared towards television, where adult characters are rarely recast.
  
  According to that list, the top 5 actor/characters still appearing are, in order of longevity: Lesley Saweard/Christine, Patricia Greene/Jill, June Spencer/Peggy, Angela Piper/Jennifer, Colin Skipp/Tony. Interesting to note that June Spencer comes 3rd with 50 years despite having had an almost 10 year break.

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 13.

  Posted by Tayler Cresswell - Host (U14232848) on Wednesday, 6th October 2010

  Hi Seveek
  
  I have pretty much the same list of longest serving characters: Peggy, Christine, Jenifer, Lilian and Tony (born 1951).
  
  Tony was cast as a child, played by Philip Owen, and even before that he was "noises off" - so he has been heard in the programme since he was born.
  
  It's been interesting looking into the longevity of the characters - I guess even silents have their own particular history with the show. Freda Fry joined in 1988 and she's as much a part of The Archers as Bert, despite the fact that we've never actually heard her on air. I guess she'll be busy looking over Kathy's new menu right now
  
  Tayler

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• Message 15

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by taddydogman (U13374770) on Thursday, 7th October 2010

  Many thanks for your help with this, Tayler, and I am very grateful also to Seveek for her/his contribution.

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• Message 16

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by dickie (U2267358) on Thursday, 7th October 2010

  I think that Dan Archer (1951-1986) should be added to Seveek's list

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• Message 17

  , in reply to message 16.

  Posted by Peggy Monahan (U2254875) on Monday, 11th October 2010

  Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:13 GMT, in reply to dickie in message 16
  
  Betty Tucker was in the programme for 31 years, played by Pamela Craig.
  
  

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• Message 18

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  Posted by GregAbles (U14537947) on Friday, 15th October 2010

  Thanks for the information here, it's been really interesting.
  
  On a similar subject, can I ask about the actresses who played Christine? I know that Pamela Mant originally played her, to be replaced by Lesley Saweard. However, The Book of the Archers says that she was also played by Joyce Gibbs - it suggests this was after Lesley took over the role, and Lesley later returned to the role. Does anyone know when this was? How long did Joyce play her for? And is this the same Joyce Gibbs who plays Ruth's mum Heather?

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• Message 19

  , in reply to message 18.

  Posted by Tolkny (U710741) on Friday, 31st December 2010

  Thanks for the information here, it's been really interesting.  Agreed, but it is a shame that some questions remain unanswered in this thread.

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• Message 20

  , in reply to message 19.

  Posted by Tayler Cresswell - Host (U14232848) on Friday, 31st December 2010

  Hi Tolkny
  
  Do you mean the question about Christine? I'll see what I can find out : )
  
  Tayler

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• Message 21

  , in reply to message 20.

  Posted by Tolkny (U710741) on Saturday, 1st January 2011

  Do you mean the question about Christine? I'll see what I can find out : ) 
  
  WOW, what perspicacity! MsT was well chosen with a similar character to Mr K as far as determination and depth of attention.
  
  Yes, it was a curiosity as asked above and repeated below.
  
  my OP was as you surmise concerned with characters rather than the actors who played them although, as has been pointed out, in some cases such as Jill (but not incidentally Christine) only one person has ever played the role. 
  
  There is nonetheless mystery in the absence of bio on the Internet of Arnold Peters, if it is by his personal choice I think he is wise, unlike MsT who had a Mobile Phone number rumbled within breaths of being appointed - I wonder if she got any Mustardland calls as a consequence, and is her over sight a personal employment project or is it part of MsT communication enterprises or whatever her company name is?
  
  I think I am entitled to a mind yer own biz answer, like wot I would give were the boots reversed!

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• Message 22

  , in reply to message 18.

  Posted by Tayler Cresswell - Host (U14232848) on Saturday, 1st January 2011

  On a similar subject, can I ask about the actresses who played Christine? I know that Pamela Mant originally played her, to be replaced by Lesley Saweard. However, The Book of the Archers says that she was also played by Joyce Gibbs - it suggests this was after Lesley took over the role, and Lesley later returned to the role. Does anyone know when this was? How long did Joyce play her for? And is this the same Joyce Gibbs who plays Ruth's mum Heather? 
  
  Hello GregAbles
  
  Lesley is the longest running Christine, but she was at home with her family from 1962 to 1968 during which time Joyce (who plays Heather) covered the role.
  
  Tayler

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• Message 23

  , in reply to message 22.

  Posted by Tolkny (U710741) on Saturday, 1st January 2011

  Splendidly prompt, thanks to MsT!

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