Ruth Archer

When Liz Rigbey was appointed editor of The Archers in 1986, she began implementing several changes in a bid to revitalise the show which had become tired. Rigbey brought in new writers, retired some characters and introduced new ones. In his 1996 book, The Archers: The True Story, Rigbey's predecessor William Smethurst explained that she had "wisely" decided that David Archer's (Timothy Bentinck) fashion designer girlfriend, Sophie Barlow (Moir Leslie), was not suitable for the role of matriarch to the next generation of the Archer family.Smethurst 1996, pp.220–221. During the script meeting to invent David's new love interest, the writers played with the idea of making the character Scottish and calling her either Anne, Heather or Thistle to show off her spiky nature.Smethurst 1996, p.222.

Rigbey also wanted to make sure that everyone liked the character, and eventually nineteen year old, agricultural student Ruth Pritchard was created. Actress (later presenter) Felicity Finch was cast as Ruth. Finch had not listened to The Archers prior to her audition in 1987 and she tried to learn as much as she could about the history of the show before she came to the studio.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/the-archers/whos-who/actors/felicity-finch|title=Actor – Felicity Finch|publisher=BBC Radio 4|access-date=1 July 2011|archive-date=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025143746/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/the-archers/whos-who/actors/felicity-finch|url-status=live}}{{cite video|people=Bentinck, Tim, Finch, Felicity|date=18 January 2011|title=The Archers: Felicity Finch (Ruth Archer) and Tim Bentinck (David Archer)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00dbvcs|medium=Website production broadcast|publisher=BBC Radio 4|access-date=3 July 2011}} Smethurst thought the decision to cast a Geordie was "odd" and wrote that it harked back to the days when the show would cast many Scottish and Irish actors, irritating the audience. Finch's first scenes as Ruth were broadcast on 15 July 1987.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/the-archers/timeline/events/1980s|title=Timeline events in Ambridge – 1980s|publisher=BBC Radio 4|access-date=24 October 2011}}

In her fictional backstory, Ruth was born on 16 June 1968 to Solly (Richard Griffiths) and Heather Pritchard (Joyce Gibbs; Margaret Jackman). She was raised in Prudhoe, Northumberland.Toye 2001, p.57.Toye 2001, pp.58–59. Ruth worked on an Israeli kibbutz for a year, prior to her acceptance onto an agricultural course at Harper Adams University College.Frith 2010, pp.110–111. She then applied for a year's work experience at Brookfield Farm and she was hired by Phil Archer (Norman Painting). Smethurst wrote that Ruth stood out among many of the other female characters at the time of her introduction, as she was a New Woman, a feminist and a farmer. Her favourite style is a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Upon her arrival in Ambridge, Ruth felt like an outsider. This was not helped by David's attitude towards her being an unskilled woman and her landlady's nosy demeanour. Ruth's "dedication and willingness" eventually won David round and he came to appreciate her.

Speaking to the BBC, Finch said Ruth "is strong willed, determined and pretty direct in her approach to life and people in general." Finch explained having breast cancer mellowed Ruth and instead of fighting her corner, she is quite likely to negotiate instead. Finch added her character appreciates life day to day. Robert Hanks writing for The Independent described Ruth as The Archers{{'}} "matriarch-in-waiting" and said she is "a family lynchpin – loyal wife, loving mother, and handy in the milking-shed when called on."{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/adultery-and-the-archers-an-everyday-story-of-radio-hype-423285.html|title=Adultery and the Archers: An everyday story of radio hype|last=Hanks|first=Robert|date=7 November 2006|work=The Independent|access-date=2 November 2011|archive-date=29 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129035002/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/adultery-and-the-archers-an-everyday-story-of-radio-hype-423285.html|url-status=live}} Simon Frith and Chris Arnot, authors of The Archers Archives, opined Ruth is not a stereotypical farmer's wife.Frith 2010, p.118 They said "Ruth is more likely to have her hand in a rubber glove rather than an oven glove – thrust up the back end of a Friesian rather than delving into an Aga and emerging with something wholesome for supper."

File:Timothy Bentinck.jpg (pictured).]]

Ruth's marriage to David is central to her character. Finch explained that it took Ruth a while to see that there were good qualities in David, as his initial behaviour towards her was unpleasant. Finch called David "a sexist pig" and said he resented Ruth's presence almost immediately.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thearchers/posts/David-and-Ruth-25-years|title=David and Ruth – 25 years|last=Davies|first=Keri|date=22 December 2013|publisher=BBC Radio 4|access-date=3 January 2014|archive-date=29 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229232805/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thearchers/posts/David-and-Ruth-25-years|url-status=live}} However, Ruth had noticed his ruggedness and she was attracted to the way he helped the sickly animals. After David noticed his brother flirting with Ruth, he realised that he loved her and told her about his feelings.Frith 2010, p.112. Despite getting off to a bad start, Ruth and David began dating and were married towards the end of 1988. Finch thought Ruth and David had "a really believable partnership" and were well-suited, saying "They are both very capable of becoming highly emotional if something riles them but thankfully they tend to react to different things. So, often one will be able to calm, soothe and support the other through most crises. Or at least provide some kind of balance to a problem."{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+walk+on+the+wild+side-a01611553219|title=A walk on the wild side|date=14 December 2006|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 January 2014}} The actress added that Ruth and David are the best of friends.

Ruth continued with her studies at Harper Adams and she and David eventually established "a good working relationship". Ruth was given the responsibility of looking after the dairy herd, before becoming a partner in the farm.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/the-archers/timeline/ruths-life-story|title=Ruth's life story Ruth the student|date=24 June 2004|publisher=BBC Radio 4|access-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207061843/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/the-archers/timeline/ruths-life-story|archive-date=7 December 2010}} Ruth and David's first child, Philippa Rose, or Pip (Helen Monks; Daisy Badger), was born in February 1993. Joanna Toye and Adrian Flynn, authors of The Archers Encyclopaedia, said Ruth took to motherhood well and did not let it stop her from playing an active part in Brookfield. The couple's second child, Joshua (Cian Cheesbrough; Angus Imrie), was born in 1997. Ruth and David later purchased some Hereford cattle and began to establish themselves as suppliers of traditional beef. Toye and Flynn observed that Ruth and David's marriage had to be strong when the Archer siblings began arguing over who would inherit Brookfield Farm.Toye 2001, p.31. Ruth told David that "time was too precious to spend in argument" and suggested they moved away. However, David's father, Phil, decided that the farm should go to the couple.

In 2012, the couple were faced with a campaign of intimidation, after David witnessed an assault on Adam Macy (Andrew Wincott). Ruth was "unnerved" when the silent phone calls began and she sent the children to stay with her mother. The intimidation ended after a barn at Brookfield was set alight and the arsonist was caught, following an anonymous tip off.Toye 2013, pp.138–139. In 2013, Ruth and David celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and Finch hoped the couple would continue to make Brookfield a thriving business, while relaxing into semi-retirement. Finch commented, "Any couple who after 25 years still love going out for meals together, having the occasional break away without the kids and the odd roll in a haystack are doing pretty well I reckon." The following year, Ruth discovered that, at 45, she was expecting her fourth child.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10734562/Women-of-50-are-ready-for-anything-even-babies.html|title=Women of 50 are ready for anything – even babies|last=Shilling|first=Jane|date=31 March 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=30 October 2014}} However, the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/01/radio-review-month-ambridge-archers-bradley-wiggins|title=Radio review: A month in Ambridge – Bradley Wiggins sees a punch-up|last=Banks-Smith|first=Nancy|date=1 April 2014|work=The Guardian|access-date=30 October 2014}}

In 2000, the character was diagnosed with breast cancer.Frith 2010, p.169. After discovering a lump in her breast in May, Ruth was checked out by her general practitioner, Tim Hathaway (Jay Villiers). The following month Ruth was told that she had breast cancer and that as it was multi-focal, she would need a mastectomy followed by a course of chemotherapy. Ruth was thirty-four at the time of her diagnosis, which was unusually young to contract such a cancer.Toye 2001, p.59. Breast cancer nurse Vickki Harmer acted as a consultant to the scriptwriters during the storyline and BBC Radio 4 invited listeners to ring a helpline for further advice after Ruth received her diagnosis.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2000/jun/25/features.review7|title=An everyday story of... cancer|last=Arnold|first=Sue|date=25 June 2000|work=The Observer|access-date=12 July 2011}} Finch contacted the breast cancer charity, Breakthrough, when she learnt about her character's new story and she spoke extensively about the research she did and the effect of the diagnosis on her character:

:Everyone I talked to seemed to have a relative or a friend who'd been through it. That was the other thing – everyone reacts to the problem differently so there's no textbook way of playing Ruth in her present situation. In fact, the way I'm playing her now might surprise some people because in the past she's been such a strong character and here she is collapsed and weeping and thinking the worst. Occasionally you may suggest to the script editor that you don't think your character will react a certain way, but with Ruth I have absolute trust in the scriptwriter's characterisation.

The storyline continued to play out over the following months as Ruth had her mastectomy operation, began a slow process of recovery and came to terms with her new appearance. When Ruth's chemotherapy treatment began during the Autumn months, David, Heather and close friend Usha (Souad Faress) were a constant source of support and comfort to her. Following her last course of chemotherapy, Ruth returned to work on the farm and was later given the all clear. In 2002, Ruth became pregnant and gave birth to her third child, Ben (Thomas Lester; Ben Norris).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/25FWtmYdwMf1ywLwhHw4vlN/ben-archer|title=Ben Archer|publisher=BBC Online|access-date=14 April 2019|archive-date=24 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424223901/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/25FWtmYdwMf1ywLwhHw4vlN/ben-archer|url-status=live}}

Speaking to The Observer{{'}}s Sue Arnold, Finch believed The Archers had done "a great service for women's health" by tackling the subject of breast cancer. Finch later revealed that she had received letters from listeners about the storyline and one woman wrote to thank her because she had found a lump in her breast after listening to the show.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10190895|title=The Archers celebrates 60th anniversary|date=29 May 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=11 July 2011|archive-date=19 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319055654/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10190895|url-status=live}} Finch also named the storyline as one of her Archers highlights. Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breakthrough said The Archers treated the subject of breast cancer "as sensibly as one can reasonably expect."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/jun/21/healthandwellbeing.health2|title=Alma may not have died in vain|last=Barton|first=Laura|date=21 June 2001|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 July 2011}} Morgan continues saying that Breakthrough liked how the show had highlighted the effect that a cancer diagnosis can have on a partner. In contrast, the radio series Feedback reported that the storyline had initially attracted a negative response from listeners, who felt the subject should have been handled with more optimism.

Shortly after inheriting Brookfield, Ruth and David were faced with a countrywide foot-and-mouth outbreak. They decided to isolate themselves from the community in a bid to stop the disease spreading onto their land and infecting their animals.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Praise+for+Archers%27+rural+crisis+realism%3B+Tuned+in+to+truth%3A+Radio+4...-a075083907|title=Praise for Archers' rural crisis realism|last=Lyster|first=Samantha|date=29 May 2001|work=Birmingham Post|access-date=4 January 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305052818/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Praise+for+Archers%27+rural+crisis+realism%3B+Tuned+in+to+truth%3A+Radio+4...-a075083907|url-status=live}} Farmworker Bert Fry (Eric Allan) also came to live with the family in seclusion, so he could help out with the animals. Ruth and David became frustrated with the situation and Ruth also had trouble sleeping.Toye 2013, p.38. The couple later sent Pip to live with relatives. Soap Opera author Dorothy Hobson wrote that it was a "drastic measure", but believed the storyline to be part of The Archers' continued commitment in responding to topical events.Hobson 2003, p.75. The show's then editor, Vanessa Whitburn, said that some storylines had to be put on hold in order for the cast and crew to weave in the foot-and-mouth outbreak into the show. Whitburn told Samantha Lyster from the Birmingham Post, "We decided that David and Ruth Archer should isolate themselves because they had just taken control of the farm and they had the most to lose should foot-and-mouth hit them." Whitburn later said she was "particularly proud" of the storyline and all the work that went into it.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9969538/Vanessa-Whitburn-Hand-on-heart-I-was-never-asked-to-sex-up-The-Archers.html|title=Vanessa Whitburn: Hand on heart, I was never asked to 'sex up' The Archers|last=Stanford|first=Peter|date=4 April 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=14 January 2014|archive-date=7 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407021547/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9969538/Vanessa-Whitburn-Hand-on-heart-I-was-never-asked-to-sex-up-The-Archers.html|url-status=live}} Finch commented that dealing with the constant re-writes was hard, but enjoyable work. The storyline was praised by farmers for its realistic portrayal.

After expanding the dairy herd in May 2004, David and Ruth hired specialist herdsman Sam Batton (Robin Pirongs).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/05_may/28/archers.shtml|title=Robin is newest recruit to The Archers herd|date=28 May 2004|publisher=BBC Press Office|access-date=17 July 2011|archive-date=9 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040809214941/http://www0.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/05_may/28/archers.shtml|url-status=live}}Frith 2010, p.200-201. Ruth frequently came into contact with Sam around the farm and he confided in Ruth about his relationship with Kirsty Miller (Annabelle Dowler). Ruth found herself becoming jealous when Sam went on holiday with Kirsty. In their book, The Archers Archives, Simon Frith and Chris Arnot commented that the "simmering mix of sexual chemistry" between Ruth and Sam reached boiling point when David's ex-girlfriend, Sophie Barlow, returned to Ambridge and asked David to help organise a charity fashion show. Ruth became stressed and insecure about David spending time with his ex-girlfriend and she turned to Sam. The main reason for Ruth's insecurity was her image, as she had recently undergone a mastectomy and felt "dowdy" next to Sophie.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/ruth-archer-shes-got-us-on-the-edge-of-our-seats-423120.html|title=Ruth Archer: She's got us on the edge of our seats|last=Arnot|first=Chris|date=6 November 2006|work=The Independent|access-date=22 July 2011|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107102722/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/ruth-archer-shes-got-us-on-the-edge-of-our-seats-423120.html|url-status=live}} Ruth became emotionally confused when Sam informed her that he had broken up with Kirsty. She then caught David lying about meeting up with Sophie and believed he was having an affair. Unbeknownst to Ruth, Sophie had tried to entice David into an affair, but he resisted her advances.{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article628683.ece|title=The Archers|first=Tim|last=Teeman|date=8 November 2006|work=The Times|access-date=5 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616121435/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article628683.ece|archive-date=16 June 2011}}

{{Quote box|width=21%|align=right|bgcolor=#F0F8FF|quote="We've crafted scenes over the past two years where they've enjoyed working alongside each other. Only very gradually have we revved up the emotional side. If this had been television, it would have been done and dusted much quicker."|source=—Editor Vanessa Whitburn on bringing Sam and Ruth together (2006)}}

Elisabeth Mahoney from The Guardian observed that Ruth and David's marriage imploded while Sophie was around and she said the speed at which it happened made for genuinely shocking listening.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2006/oct/26/sexingupthearchersanaural?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Sexing up The Archers: an aural affront|last=Mahoney|first=Elisabeth|date=26 October 2006|work=The Guardian|access-date=31 October 2011}} Mahoney said "Felicity Finch and Tim Bentinck spat their toxic lines out with much relish, and for once emphatically shook off their characters' middle-of-the-road cosiness and golden couple status." After seeking Sam out for comfort, Ruth kissed him. When Sam declared his love for Ruth, she agreed to spend the night with him at a hotel in Oxford. Ruth told David she was meeting a friend for the night. Tim Teeman from The Times commented that the moment Ruth became stuck in traffic contrasted with "the scary new land she was travelling towards". Ruth's decision to spend the night with Sam was the focus of The Archers{{'}} 15,000th episode, which was broadcast on 7 November 2006. The episode was written by Joanna Toye, who told Emily Lambert of the Western Mail that the traffic jam was used to increase the tension.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Keeping+up+with+the+Archers%3B+The+Archers+archive+has+provided+rich...-a0212569188|title=Keeping up with the Archers|last=Lambert|first=Emily|date=21 November 2009|work=Western Mail|access-date=19 July 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024085654/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Keeping+up+with+the+Archers%3B+The+Archers+archive+has+provided+rich...-a0212569188|url-status=live}}

Editor Vanessa Whitburn told Chris Arnot of The Independent that the climax to the storyline was planned three months prior to the show's anniversary. When Ruth listened to a voicemail from her daughter, it reminded her of home and she called Sam to say she could not be with him. Ruth then turned to Usha for support, before returning home to David, who observed Ruth's emotional state. After Sam quit his job, Ruth eventually told David the truth about what happened. Bentinck explained that when he and Finch finished recording the scene, they were both crying as it had been very distressing. David was initially unable to forgive Ruth for her actions, but after speaking to Usha and gaining some perspective, over time things between himself and Ruth became easier.

Despite being popular with many, the character of Ruth has also gained much criticism over the years. In 2007, Karen Price from the Western Mail called Ruth a "much-loved character".{{cite news|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-158709067|title=Mobile Phones and Internet Contribute to the Rise and Rise of Radio|last=Price|first=Karen|date=2 February 2007|work=Western Mail|access-date=4 January 2014}}{{subscription required}} The Scotsman's Fordyce Maxwell called Ruth "the archetype of common sense and forward planning".{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-13092169.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924184411/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-13092169.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Let's get back to a weekly bath and sharing the chewing gum|last=Maxwell|first=Fordyce|date=1 November 2006|work=The Scotsman|access-date=4 January 2014}}{{subscription required}} Victoria Summerley from The Independent noted the character was "instantly recognisable" because she is a Geordie and bemoaned the fact "poor inoffensive Ruth" was disliked by some of the more hardcore fans because of this.{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16811907.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140412223947/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16811907.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2014|title=Awesome Ambridge|last=Summerley|first=Victoria|date=3 July 2008|work=The Independent|access-date=4 January 2014}}{{subscription required}} Nicholas Lezard from the same publication disliked Ruth, branding her "highly irritating".{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/a-baffled-listeners-guide-to-ambridge-622695.html|title=A baffled listener's guide to Ambridge|last=Lezard|first=Nicholas|date=10 November 2000|work=The Independent|access-date=2 October 2018}} He later thought the scriptwriters had created in David and Ruth "the only couple in the Western Hemisphere who are delighted that their parents are coming for Christmas."{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1812371.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140412223931/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1812371.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2014|title=Radio: Kiss Me, Hardy, but Don't Sing!|last=Lezard|first=Nicholas|date=7 December 2003|work=The Independent|access-date=4 January 2014}}{{subscription required}} Ruth and David were described by The Times critic, Tim Teeman, as "the series' golden couple — the future Phil and Jill". While The Herald's Anne Simpson said the couple were "the standing stones of Ambridge: rooted, solid, weathered by storms but unbeaten, a reassuring constant in our national life."{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23646608.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191158/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23646608.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=The Archers, adultery and other strings to my bow|last=Simpson|first=Anne|date=29 December 2006|work=The Herald|access-date=4 January 2014}}{{subscription required}}

Ruth's mastectomy after breast cancer was named one of the most shocking storylines from The Archers by The Daily Telegraph's Nick Collins.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8236576/The-Archers-most-shocking-storylines.html|title=The Archers: most shocking storylines|last=Collins|first=Nick|date=2 January 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=5 January 2014|archive-date=28 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128170914/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8236576/The-Archers-most-shocking-storylines.html|url-status=live}} Rachel Cooke of the New Statesman was not a fan of the character at all, writing "Ruth bores me to sobs, so I didn't give a fig that this was out of character."{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1186829491.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301100707/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1186829491.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 March 2016|title=A brave new world|last=Cooke|first=Rachel|date=18 December 2006|work=New Statesman|access-date=4 January 2014}}{{subscription required}} Lezard noted that Ruth had gone from "cheery supermum-farmer to lovelorn hysteric facing total loss".{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1413236.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140104024656/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1413236.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2014|title=Wilfred Owen, Dusty Springfield, Nigel Rees: Spot the Odd One out|last=Lezard|first=Nicholas|date=19 November 2006|work=The Independent|access-date=4 January 2014}}{{subscription required}}

Reaction to the near affair storyline from listeners was generally negative and Chris Hastings from The Daily Telegraph reported that the BBC had been inundated with complaints, saying the storyline was "utterly ridiculous", while others questioned its plausibility.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1532660/Adultery-at-Ambridge-Its-a-dumb-de-dumb-de-dumb-de-dumb-idea-say-listeners.html|title=Adultery at Ambridge? It's a dumb-de-dumb-de-dumb de-dumb idea, say listeners|last=Hastings|first=Chris|date=29 October 2006|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=1 November 2011}} Listeners started an online protest against the storyline following Whitburn's appearance on Feedback. The show's presenter Roger Bolton commented on the backlash saying fans thought the plot was "unbelievable and over-sensational." Other listeners thought Ruth and David had undergone personality transplants and accused the BBC of trying to turn The Archers into a radio version of EastEnders.

The official website had over 11,000 responses to a poll asking listeners whether Ruth should go with Sam, compared to the usual 3,000. Fifty-two per cent of the listeners thought Ruth should go to Sam. The Archers website had received 1.2 million page impressions due to the storyline in 2006.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8226200/Archers-no-longer-educates-farmers.html|title=Archers 'no longer educates farmers'|last=Midgley|first=Neil|date=27 December 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2 November 2011|archive-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109204824/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8226200/Archers-no-longer-educates-farmers.html|url-status=live}} In February 2007, a writer for the Daily Record reported almost 200,000 listeners had deserted The Archers due to controversial storylines, such as Ruth and Sam's affair.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Rumpy+pumpy+turned+OFF+Archers+fans.-a0158737829|title=Rumpy pumpy turned off Archers fans|date=2 February 2007|work=Daily Record|access-date=2 November 2011|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083939/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Rumpy+pumpy+turned+OFF+Archers+fans.-a0158737829|url-status=live}} The writer said figures for the last three months of 2006, when the Ruth and Sam storyline peaked, revealed 4.44 million listeners tuned in, which was down 169,000 on the previous quarter. Whitburn told Midgley that the backlash from listeners helped keep Ruth faithful to David, and agreed that she was not the type to have an affair.

The Spectator{{'}}s Kate Chisholm was delighted that Ruth did not spend the night with Sam and believed that she "kept true to her blunt, honest character (and biblical name)."{{cite news|last=Chisholm |first=Kate |url=https://pugpig.spectator.co.uk/comic/country-shenanigans/ |title=Country shenanigans |work=The Spectator |date=15 November 2006 |access-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225064758/https://pugpig.spectator.co.uk/comic/country-shenanigans/ |archive-date=25 February 2016 }} Chisholm also felt that as an outsider to Ambridge, Ruth had always been treated with "slight suspicion". Ian Sanderson, who runs Archers Anarchists, branded Ruth "ghastly" and "the Geordie gorgon", he also opined that she was "one of Ambridge's most irritating and frumpy residents."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2006/nov/07/realityradioseparatingthea|title=Separating The Archers from fiction|last=Sanderson|first=Ian|date=7 November 2006|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 January 2014}} In 2011, a Belfast Telegraph reporter commented that Ruth had become an "unpopular figure" and listeners had wanted her to die during the 60th anniversary episode.{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-27602919.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506005228/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-27602919.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 May 2016|title=Archers off-target with damp squib 60th anniversary|date=3 January 2011|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=4 January 2014}}{{subscription required}} Actor Graham Seed, whose character Nigel Pargetter was killed off during the anniversary, shared the same view, saying he would "do in" Ruth. When asked why, he replied "Well, she goes on a bit, doesn't she? 'Oooooh David!' and all that. I'd do old Ruthie in, or Tom Archer and his bloody sausages."{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8247138/Graham-Seed-interview-Id-do-in-Ruth-Archer.-She-goes-on-a-bit-doesnt-she.html|title=Graham Seed interview: 'I'd do in Ruth Archer. She goes on a bit, doesn't she?'|last=Tweedie|first=Neil|date=7 January 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=4 January 2014|archive-date=30 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130101103/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8247138/Graham-Seed-interview-Id-do-in-Ruth-Archer.-She-goes-on-a-bit-doesnt-she.html|url-status=live}}

In 1999, Finch flew to Rwanda to help launch a new radio soap called Urunana, a programme which is aimed predominantly at women and focuses on health issues, child care and genocide within the country of Rwanda.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/270427.stm|title=Archers star launches Rwanda soap|date=16 February 1999|work=BBC News|access-date=10 July 2011|archive-date=27 June 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040627140414/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/270427.stm|url-status=live}} A decade later, the makers of Urunana invited Finch to record a guest appearance as Ruth for the show.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/3554200/How-Ambridge-is-helping-Rwanda-rebuild-itself.html|title=How Ambridge is helping Rwanda rebuild itself|last=Finch|first=Felicity|date=12 June 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=10 July 2011}} Ruth's scenes saw her married to a shopkeeper named Munyakazi, who was reluctant to let her train as a community health worker. Of the storyline, Finch said "Although all this seemed not a little bizarre for strong-willed, independent Ruth, when I cast my mind back, it wasn't a million miles away from David's (my Archers husband of more than 20 years) reaction to having a female student arrive to work alongside him at Brookfield in 1987."

On 18 November 2005, Finch and six of her co-stars appeared as their respective characters on the BBC's Children in Need broadcast, alongside presenter Terry Wogan.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/11_november/16/archers.shtml|title=Archers cast join Terry Wogan for BBC Children in Need|date=16 November 2005|publisher=BBC Press Office|access-date=22 October 2011}} Ruth joined her husband, David, and friend, Lynda Snell (Carole Boyd), in one of three scenes written especially for the show. Ruth's renowned way of saying "ooooh nooooh" has been frequently parodied on the comedy programme Dead Ringers.

{{Reflist|30em}}

Bibliography

{{Refbegin|30em}}

• {{cite book|last1=Frith|first1=Simon|last2=Arnot|first2=Chris|title=The Archers Archives|year=2010|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84990-013-3|ref=refFrith}}
• {{cite book|last=Hobson|first=Dorothy|title=Soap Opera|year=2003|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|isbn=978-0-7456-2655-0|ref=refhobson}}
• {{cite book|last=Smethurst|first=William|title=The Archers: The True Story|year=1996|publisher=Michael O'Mara Books|isbn=978-1-85479-689-9|ref=refSmethurst}}
• {{cite book|last1=Toye|first1=Joanna|last2=Farrington|first2=Karen|title=The Ambridge Chronicles|year=2013|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-1-84990-577-0|ref=reftoye2}}
• {{cite book|last1=Toye|first1=Joanna|last2=Flynn|first2=Adrian|title=The Archers Encyclopaedia|year=2001|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-0-563-53718-2|ref=refToye}}
• {{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Vanessa|title=The Archers: The Official Inside Story|year=1997|publisher=Virgin Books|isbn=978-0-7535-0107-8|ref=refWhitburn}}

{{Refend}}

• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3wml4ck1DJbklVQqjZms49s/ruth-archer Ruth Archer] at BBC Online

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