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Death of character divides Ambridge in The Archers
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4's The Archers yesterday lost one of its most controversial characters.
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After a hard-fought battle with cancer Siobhan Donovan (nee Hathaway) finally succumbed to the disease in a heart-rending episode of the programme (Thursday 31 May, 7pm).
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For at least some of the inhabitants of Ambridge, the death of Siobhan, played by Caroline Lennon, could prove more divisive than anyone else's in the world's longest-running radio drama – especially in the Aldridge household.
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Listeners will recall that Siobhan returned to Ambridge recently to inform Brian Aldridge (the father of her four-year-old son) of her cancer.
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She wanted to know, if she were to die, whether he would take care of Ruairi? It was an easy decision for Brian, but his wife Jennifer refused even to consider the idea.
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Jennifer's reluctance was unsurprising. Brian's affair with Siobhan very nearly destroyed the Aldridge marriage – therefore Ruairi's presence at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Farm would open up some old wounds for the family – and surely some new ones, as Jenny's two youngest children, Kate and Alice, would finally learn the truth about their father's affair.
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Jennifer had prayed that Siobhan would not die ... but only so she would never have to deal with the fall-out of her passing.
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However, in her native Ireland, Siobhan will be missed – by her mother, her sister Niamh and of course her son, Ruairi.
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But most of all she will be missed by Brian Aldridge. The wealthy owner of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Farm has never fallen out of love with Siobhan, despite the fact that he chose to stay with his wife after she discovered his illicit relationship with Siobhan in 2002*.
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Following weeks of pressure from Brian, and the realisation that (if pushed) he would choose his son over her, Jennifer grudgingly agreed to take Siobhan's child into her home. However, in truth, Ruairi will always serve as a constant reminder of her husband's infidelity.
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Indeed, Jenny is well aware that her husband's hitherto secret relationship – known by only a handful of the Ambridge residents** – will soon be known by every Tom, Dick and Gossip in Ambridge.
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She will need every ounce of her doughty personality to face up to other members of the close knit community – not to mention the reaction of her own daughters...
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Notes to Editors
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* When Brian met Siobhan...
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Siobhan and her (then) husband Tim arrived in Ambridge in 1999, having fallen in love with Honeysuckle Cottage which, she felt, was an ideal rural home. Village life was not as perfect as she'd hoped however, as she discovered when gossipmongers quickly spread the news that she'd had a miscarriage.
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A new publishing job provided a certain amount of distraction from her loss; but it meant frequent travel overseas. And while away, if those same gossipmongers are to be believed, her husband got overly friendly with Janet Fisher (the vicar). Her marriage to Tim was doomed: while he would eventually marry Janet, Siobhan and Brian began their affair.
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After Brian chose to stay with his wife Jenny, Siobhan fled to Germany and soon began a new relationship with Dieter. Brian, meanwhile, retained regular contact with his old love and their son – often without Jennifer's knowledge.
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Towards the close of her relationship with Dieter, Siobhan discovered that she was suffering from malignant melanoma, and subsequent medical tests revealed that her cancer had developed to extensive secondaries.
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Initially, Jennifer made it quite clear that, while she sympathised with Siobhan's predicament, she could never allow Brian to bring Ruairi to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Farm. So, while she has been persuaded otherwise, Brian will still need to be at his utterly charming best to help smooth Jenny and Ruairi's nascent relationship.
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** Who knows what about Brian and Siobhan?
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Jennifer Aldridge has long dreaded the day that the news would spread around the village of her husband's extramarital affair, and the resultant Ruairi. That day has now come; but which members of the Ambridge community have managed to keep to themselves the news of Brian and Siobhan?
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In February 2002, Tim confided to Janet Fisher – and subsequently Alistair – about Siobhan's affair. Soon afterwards Janet passed the information onto Shula.
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Siobhan, meanwhile, let Elizabeth Pargetter in on the secret, and in April of the same year Siobhan told her friend that she was pregnant. Siobhan soon revealed to Brian that she'd told Elizabeth about the baby and within days she divulged the pregnancy to Tim.
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By this time Janet had passed on the news not only to the bishop, but also to Shula; the two women admitted they knew Brian was the father. Tim told his solicitor he knew his wife was carrying Brian's baby. And when Kenton guessed Siobhan was pregnant Elizabeth confirmed he'd guessed correctly.
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The Archers, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4, 7pm, Sunday-Friday, repeated at 2pm the
following day (except Saturdays) with an omnibus on Sundays from 10am
on 92-95FM and 198LW or online at bbc.co.uk/archers.
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