Ysanne Churchman
Grace Archer was killed off by the BBC 70 years ago on 22nd September for trade union activity
It is 70 years on 22nd September since Grace Archer (Fairbrother) died in a fire as she tried to rescue horses from a barn fire. The unfortunate event, which took place on the same night as the launch of independent television, attracted 20 million listeners.
The reality of the demise of Grace Archer was revealed on a Radio 4 programme, Dead girls can tell no tales, on 19th September 2015.
The BBC had decided to kill off a leading character to coincide with the launch of ITV, but which one?
The actress Ysanne Churchman, who died aged 99 in 2024, was chosen and she was clear why:
It was “victimisation because I’d been to Equity to get my fees put right”. Churchman wanted the same pay as her male co-stars, and for actors to be in the union. The Archers creator Godfrey Baseley wanted her out.
Ambridge Socialist Editor Keith Flett said, 70 years on its time for the BBC to issue an official apology
Most definitely .
I’m just wondering what went on when Nigel went off the roof???