The Archers

Carol makes her feelings clear, and Jolene is far from impressed.

Tony and Leonard can’t keep up with demand for their repair service and are thinking of restricting Jean Harvey’s items. Tony comments that the greenhouse at Bridge Farm is really allowing them to expand their offering. Anna arrives from the hospital and reports that Carol is alternating between being in a lot of pain, or away with the fairies on morphine. Perhaps however it’s a good sign that she is back to complaining about things. Anna wonders if her mum will ever be able to return to Glebe Cottage. Leonard and Tony offer to visit Carol to give Anna some respite and promise to give Carol encouraging stories about The Laurels.
Lily is still stunned that Harrison told Fallon about them and is not ready to navigate the coming backlash. Harrison is very open and declares his feelings – for him, this could be a long-term relationship. Lily, more cautious, says she needs to think.
At The Bull, Jolene enthuses about the new chef Mags, who also gets on well with Joy. Fallon has a quiet word with Harrison – he must tell Jolene about Lily, or she will. On the phone to Lily, he warns her that their relationship may not been under the radar for much longer. Lily backtracks on her earlier restraint and reassures Harrison that she’s not giving him the brush off. When Harrison warily tells Jolene about Lily, she hits the roof. She can’t believe she and Kenton have been so hospitable and gives Harrison five minutes to pack his bag and get out of her pub!

6th – 11th September 2026
Writer: Katie Hims
Director: Dave Payne
Editor: Jeremy Howe
David Archer … Timothy Bentinck
Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis
Tony Archer … David Troughton
Leonard Berry … Paul Copley
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Alan Franks … John Telfer
Usha Franks … Souad Faress
Martyn Gibson … Jon Glover
Clarrie Grundy … Heather Bell
Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek
Khalil Malik … Krish Bassi
Lily Pargetter … Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd
Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw
Anna Tregorran … Isobel Middleton
Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou

Khalil calls in at Ambridge Hall to see how Lynda and Robert are doing. Robert says that they were about to play Scrabble and invites Khalil to join them. Lynda says that’s the last thing a young person would want to do on an afternoon. Khalil says he actually would like to play. Scrabble shark Robert gets a triple word score. Khalil becomes nervous over a word, but Robert and Lynda say to play it. Lynda becomes emotional when seeing the word MONTY and Khalil tries to apologise. Lynda insists it’s fine, she just misses him. Robert says he’ll allow a proper name just this once. As Khalil leaves, Robert and Lynda admit that he’s made them feel better.
Anna is sitting by Carol’s bedside in hospital as she comes round. When Carol asks to go home, Anna reminds her that she must have an operation for her broken hip. Carol says she wants to speak to the consultant again. When asked why she was in the graveyard, Carol admits she went out to look for the baby bat. Later, Anna asks Carol about whether she filled in the medical forms right and whether Carol would want resuscitating. Alan arrives to check how Carol is doing and is heavily praised by Carol. Carol asks Alan to pray with her but harshly insists Anna must leave. Carol asks Alan to help her feel less afraid of death. She can’t say that in front of Anna. She doesn’t want Anna to know she’s a coward.

On the school bus, Keira says she’s jealous of Henry’s sickness bug to an amused Khalil. He says he enjoys learning and Keira can’t believe they’re even friends. Keira becomes self-conscious after a girl at the school gives her a look. Khalil tries to cheer her up but doesn’t get why Keira would worry over someone she doesn’t know. He jokes that he expects everyone just to like him. Later Khalil finds Keira, who’s worries she’s got Henry’s bug. Khalil says he always goes to school even if he’s ill, so his mum doesn’t worry. When Keira questions why, Khalil reveals he had cancer twice as a child but is in remission now. Keira says she’s really glad he’s okay now.
Alan is enjoying a rare leisurely breakfast with Usha. He praises her winning Flower and Produce tableau. Usha thinks Alan will be forgiven for the fete and thinks there’s too much pressure on him. When Anna rings, worried about Carol who is ignoring her calls, Alan volunteers to go over to check. Finding Glebe Cottage empty, Alan calls Anna to ask where else Carol might be. Usha goes to look further afield. Anna is panicking when Usha rushes back. She’s found Carol, she’s lying unconscious in the graveyard. Alan and Usha try to make her comfortable with blankets, but she won’t wake up. They hear the ambulance approaching.
In hospital, Alan and Usha are waiting for news when Anna rushes in. Usha offers to get a pale Anna something to eat. All Anna wants is to see her mum.