The Archers, Radio 4’s everyday tale of country folk, is also a casualty of COVID-19 with listeners now starved of new storylines – including Bishop of Ripon, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.
Writing affectionately in today’s Radio Times magazine, she confesses to being “a relatively new convert” and yearns for the return of the long-running series which chronicles life in the fictional village of Ambridge.
Pre-recorded new episodes have now run out and fans are making-do with old favourites, including the civil partnership ceremony for gay couple Adam and Ian and Joe Grundy's funeral – finally reunited with his dearly departed wife Susan.
Church life has always loomed large in the Archers and a now-paused plot line is stalwart Shula’s nervous wait for a bishop’s approval as she attempts to become a member of Borsetshire’s clergy.
“I have been especially enjoying the drama’s commitment to putting faith in the heart of its storylines and I’m not remotely surprised to see it’s been shortlisted for the Radio Times Readers’ Award at the Sandford St Martin Awards for religious broadcasting,” writes Bishop Helen-Ann, Chair of the Sandford St Martin Trust.
The Radio Times magazine is in shops today or available online.