Dan Archer dies—at last

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 10

Dan Archer dies—at last

By

Robin Charteris

in London

The 8.8. C. has finally killed off Dan Archer at the age of 89, after 35 years of loyal service. The fateful episode will be broadcast in Britain today.”

“The Archers has not been broadcast in New Zealand for several years. Dan, head of the farming family which gives its name to radio’s longest running serial, has outlived three of the four actors who played him.

His first broadcast was on New Year’s Day, 1951, following an introduction that is known throughout the English-speaking world: “The Archers, An Everyday Story of Country Folk.” Listeners then heard

Darf, his wife Doris, now dead, their son Philip and their daughter Christine singing Auld Lang Syne, at their Ambridge home, Brookfield, followed by the first spoken words by Dan himself: “And a happy new year to you all."

Bom on October 15, 1896, Dan achieved fame relatively late in life. He was first played by actor Harry Oakes, who died in 1961. Monty Cook took over until he died in 1969, being replaced by Edgar Harrison. Since 1982, he has been played by Frank Middlemass. The mythical village of Ambridge has seen — or heard — some momentous deaths since 1951. The demise of Dan’s daughter-in-law, Grace, in

a stable fire in September, 1955, eclipsed the opening transmissions of Independent Television in Britain. Later it was another son Frank, who died, and then Doris.

“Why do this to Grace Archer?” read the headline in the “Daily Express” newspaper on September 24, 1955, suggesting the timing was deliberate to coincide with the new television channel. Dan is believed to die from a heart attack, but the manner of his departure is being kept a closely guarded secret within the 8.8. C. He will leave two surviving children and seven grandchildren, as well many mourners around the world. '