Latest news with #BrianAldridge
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Charles Collingwood reflects on 50 years on The Archers
"Yesterday they gave me a little party, they gave me a copy of the first episode I was in, six thousand and something. And tomorrow I shall be recording [episode] 20,599 - so a lot's happened."In The Archers, the world's longest running radio soap opera which is recorded in Birmingham, Charles Collingwood is part of the has played the hard-headed Brian Aldridge for 50 years, and wants to carry on for at least a little longer."One of the secrets I honestly think, is it's 15 minutes every night and then that big omnibus on a Sunday," he told the BBC's Nick Owen. "It's that time when people are getting supper or they're driving back from the station, they're having their first drink before putting the children to bed. "You can commit to 15 minutes. Half an hour, forty minutes is an event." Set in the fictional Midlands village of Ambridge, it has been recorded at various locations in Birmingham since 1950, including making its home at The Mailbox, in 2004. Mr Collingwood's character, Brian, a wealthy young farmer, was introduced to the Radio 4 drama in 1975. 'Turned him into a womaniser' A year later, he married Jennifer Archer, and they were together until her death in January 2023."He was very happily married and wealthy and brought up Jennifer's children, and I think they were in danger of being written out of the programme, because lovely as that is in real life, there's not much drama in that," said Mr Collingwood."And then they overnight turned him into a womaniser and it rather changed my life." Back in real life, Aldridge recalls how a new teacher of his daughter, Jane, had a passionate reaction about the prospect of her in the classroom."We met the staff and they met us and I think I asked a question," he remembered."It came back to me later that her new form teacher stormed into the staff room saying, 'I'm not teaching that girl, her father's Brian Aldridge!'."Only about a month ago, my grandson who's nine - Jane's son - came back from school saying: 'My teacher said, is it true that your grandpa is Brian in The Archers?'"So there we are, that's an illustration of how long I've been playing this part," he laughed. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Guardian
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Archers star Charles Collingwood: ‘The last lie I told? Darling, marvellous isn't the word'
Born in Canada, Charles Collingwood, 81, studied at Rada. He began his career in repertory theatre and moved into children's television. He later worked on the 90s quizshow Telly Addicts and in Inspector Morse and Midsomer Murders. He is best known for playing Brian Aldridge in BBC Radio 4 drama The Archers, and this year celebrates 50 years in the role. His wife, Judy Bennett, played Shula Hebden Lloyd in The Archers. They live in Hampshire. When were you happiest? My childhood. I was an only child, happy and secure, and there was always plenty of time to play cricket. What is your greatest fear? Heights. What is your earliest memory? Being told off at my nursery school for writing 'bosom' in the condensation on the bus window. To my horror, the bus company had reported me. Which living person do you most admire and why? Freddie Flintoff. He played cricket in the best spirit and in his series Field of Dreams, you could see the boys hanging on his every word. He's a special guy. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I talk too much. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Not listening to me. Aside from property, what's the most expensive thing you've ever bought? My beautiful silver Jaguar XKR soft-top. What is your most treasured possession? A clock won by a family member in 1865 in a shooting competition. Describe yourself in three words Glass half full. What would your superpower be? Breaking all batting records for England. What do you most dislike about your appearance? Not having matinee idol hair. Who would play you in the film of your life? Hugh Grant. Who is your celebrity crush? Joan Collins. What is the worst thing anyone's ever said to you? In an audition at the Royal Court, this man called out, 'Were you trained?' Would you choose fame or anonymity? Fame. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion What was the last lie that you told? 'Darling, marvellous isn't the word' – in someone's dressing room when I've not thought much of their performance. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Alcohol. To whom would you most like to say sorry and why? My first wife – we were too young. What is the worst job you've done? Standing outside a pub in Acton on a freezing February day in a threadbare overcoat doing market research. If not yourself, who would you most like to be? The king. When did you last cry, and why? Watching the Festival of Remembrance last autumn. What single thing would improve the quality of your life? If you'd asked me last year, I would have said a knee replacement. Would you rather have more sex, money or fame? Yes to all. How would you like to be remembered? As a man who tried his best to entertain. What happens when we die? When my mother died in my arms, I feel I witnessed her spirit leaving her body, so let's just wait and see.
