Didn't Ruth ask Jill to come back? Now she's complaining already about what she's doing to help?!

Please Jill come and sort out my cupboards - I will be grateful at least!

Yeah I think we are meant to be sympathetic that Ruth invited her back because she needed help and a mummy figure, but now she's there she is reminded that Jill isn't a replacement Heatherpet, so Ruth feels guilty again.

Forget the fact that we hadn't really heard muck talk of Heatherpet in recent years except when she recently cropped up and carked it, and the fact that Brookfield had become engulfed in the fumes of festering underpants and kitchen disasters without Jill there to keep order!

I love your cynical view on the programme, and when you write what Ruth would say I can hear her voice

This can only get worse. The Witch has wheedled her way back, and will now gradually take over. How long before Ruth wakes up one night, reaches out for David, and is horrified when she strokes wrinkly Jill, who is entwined with David?

Ewww, no. Just no

Ha thanks. The insights and comments on here are excellent, including yours.

It's a real community thread with great new people joining now and again too. I need one - I've no Archers fans to speak with!!

It's fantastic that such a long-running programme is still getting new listeners.

Great posts on this thread, too, and no fallings-out, unlike some soap threads!

BIB - me neither. My family all make a big show of pretending to zip their mouths closed when they hear the Archers is on as they know I'm listening to it rather than them

Mr Lakie has learned that if he tries to talk to me while it's on, I'll find a sudden need to go upstairs and listen to it up there.

I've even been known to fake an urgent mission to the bathroom, so I can bolt the door and listen in there, undisturbed.

He now observes silence between 7.02 and 7.15 every weekday.

Did anyone else groan when the announcer said at the end that tomorrow Ruth has something to say?

Mine used to do that too,i f anyone rang, he said no she won't come to the phone the archers are on.

Yes, I did! I really can't stand Ruth lately - she should get over herself and try for a part in Linda's Christmas show. I'm sure it would be cathartic and empowering for her

I seem to remember that Linda usually has a devil of a job getting people to be in her play, but this year women are queuing up for parts


It was a bit creepy the way it ended up being Pat who suggested that Helen doesn't drive anymore. Rob's clever, but he's pretty lucky too.

I know he's a sinister swine, but Rob was very funny when he was going on about Adam's roving eye and Charlie sniffing around

oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! stupid bint.

If I were Jill I would go back to Lower Loxley, let dear old Ruth and the rest of em drown in their own dirt and muck!

As for Rob

Poor Clarrie and poor Joe

Things are looking so grim for the Grundys. Can you imagine Joe in a care home? They might as well shoot him Couldn't he stay with Will or Ed for a bit while Eddie 'sorts something out'?

Yes I rather thought Rob would be the one suggesting she stops driving. How convenient for him that Pat said it instead!

I agree it was rather amusing though when he was talking about Adam

Can anyone tell me how old are Clarrie and her husband and Joe? Thanks

He isn't her husband - he's her father in law. Eddie is her husband.

Eddie and Clarrie must be early or mid sixties?

Joe is in his 90s

Pat isn't believable any more. She's had a complete personality change. Do they change heads like Worzel Gummidge in that part of the world? Why on earth does she think it's ok to infantilise a grown woman?

Ha! I was a bit confused about who was who obviously! Thanks

Clarrie is 61, Eddie is 64 and Joe is 94.

I agree. It didn't ring true for Pat at all - she's definitely the type to advocate a perfectly normal life for a pregnant woman.
It was a lazy plot device so that Helen feels ganged up upon and to try and prove Rob's slyness.

Where did Ruth say say she is going to?

Yay! Dismal Ruth is off to the antipodes. This will perpetuate the stereotype of the whingeing Pom for another 100 years. At least we won't have to listen to her whining on for a while.

Mr Lakie's opinion of this bombshell? "****ing good riddance".

Succinctly (if coarsely) put, I think.

Forgot to listen tonight I can't think of anyone Ruth knows in Australia or New Zealand, so I guess it's something to do with cows...

Off to find out via Iplayer

Bye moany Ruth!