Matt seems to have made a recovery from being run down by a car, but only in time to find himself with no option but to flee Ambridge again! What are you up to at the moment?

Having just finished being employed as a full time Acting Tutor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, I myself am enjoying the world of the freelance Actor, rather keen to tread the boards, and get in front of the camera again.

How did you feel when you got the call inviting 'Matt' back to Ambridge?:

I was delighted to hear from Editor Huw so early in his reign. I always felt that there was unfinished business between Matt and Lilian.

What were you told about the circumstances of Matt’s return and the potential storyline?:

The bait was that there would be quite a meaty storyline. I wasn’t told the full extent of it - possibly the writers hadn’t worked out the details themselves initially, but I’ve very much been kept in the loop as the story’s developed.

Sometimes actors in long form drama seem to get left in the dark about forward planning for their characters. Not helpful. I’ve very much appreciated the openness.

What have been your highlights to date playing Matt?:

It’s not so much any particular highlight, though there have been some great stories over the years. The real pleasure has been playing Matt over a long period.

The Americans talk about the actor being the “co-author” of their character, an idea writers usually object to and one that’s rarely really true. But in an ever rolling drama like The Archers you do get an unusual freedom to develop a character.

You are given something on the page, you put your take on it, and the next time the writers come to write for you they are hearing you. Somehow you feel you are moulding the character together.That’s been particularly true of working with the wonderful Sunny Ormonde and developing, along with writers, the oh so complicated Matt and Lilian relationship in all its various ups and downs.

Did Matt deserve to pull through?:

Honestly? Of course he did! And that’s not just because I’d love to go on playing him. I’ve always looked for the good in him and, yes, sometimes you have to dig very deep to find it.

He’s hugely flawed, some might say thoroughly bad, but somewhere way back, and I’m glad we did have the chance to explore this a little, he’s very damaged. I think the only other human being he’s ever really connected with or cared about is Lilian. 

Do you know who mowed him down?!:

Half of Ambridge was in the car, wasn’t it?

You’ve played more than one character in The Archers – tell us more:

One or two episode appearances. I played a Trading Standards Officer who closed down Betty Tucker’s farm stall on the bypass. I played him Welsh as I remember. And I played a radio journalist brought in by Lynda Snell, I think.

Tell us about working with Sunny Ormonde (Lilian) & Simon Williams (Justin):

What a great triangle! Matt and Justin are chalk and cheese alpha males - chippy Sarf Londoner versus patrician. Sunny has been a mate for years, even before Pusscat and Tiger got together. And Simon is just the loveliest of men, as well as being tall, funny and handsome. I hate him.

Clearly you and Sunny go back a long way – any highlights / memorable moments as an acting duo?:

We did so many radio plays together before The Archers. Didn’t we once play Spanish revolutionaries dancing a flamenco?

And whatever happened to a proper bed in the recording studio? I seem to remember Matt and Lilian rolling about on one in The Dower House, before we owned it, and being caught a bit in flagrante by Caroline Bone.

What is the secret of the chemistry between Matt and Lilian? And do you think Lilian should stick with Justin or run off with Matt?:

They’re both growing old disgracefully, and they’re both more attracted to the fire than the hearth. Deep down, I think they’re  both selfish, except when it comes to each other, and there the love is intense, on both sides.

Should Lilian stick with Justin or run off with Matt? Everything in her head should say Justin. But she’s never really been ruled by her head, has she?

In a shocking twist, Lilian seems to have cottoned on to Matt's scheming and scamming - and now she has confronted him. Is this the end of the road for Tiger? Listen to the clip from Sunday 12th November...

Re-read our interview with Kim from 2013.

More about Matt in our Who's Who.

Join us!

• Here on The Archers blog
• Have your say on BBC The Archers Facebook page
• Follow @BBCTheArchers on Twitter and chat about #thearchers

Pinball Wizard Pargetter:

He sure played a... lovable posh boy. But who knew that Nigel was a big shot with the bumper? Maybe if Freddie ever gets his act together and sees the potential of his stately home, he'll convert the attic to a '50s style diner (?) 

Puzzling Pargetter:

There could be a few board games or word puzzles in there - Nigel was partial. In 1984, Nigel spent an afternoon playing scrabble with his future wife, 17 year old Elizabeth. From an afternoon on the tiles, Nigel invited Lizzie out to "Rags" in Borchester. Poor Nigel had hayfever, and had just been given the push by Shula. Lizzie had also been dumped, by a guy called Chris.

Lipstick, Powder and Pargetter:

Nigel has played many a theatrical role, including a pantomime dame, so you might stumble across a make-up kit, and maybe a few frocks!

In 2002, Nigel and Elizabeth larked around at Lower Loxley as Bottom and Titania from A Midsummer Night's Dream - Nigel re-living his school play triumph in the role.

In 2006, Nigel took his plan to play Mr Darcy a bit far. He swam across part of the lake to Elizabeth in full Darcy attire. It left him shivering but Lizzie thought it was wonderful, especially when he later presented her with a beautiful bound copy of Pride and Prejudice.

However, Poor Nigel was struck down with flu, and took a solemn vow never to stick even a little toe in the lake again!

Pumped-up Pargetter (cycling, stamp-collecting stud)

In 2004, Kenton lent Nigel a buttonless jacket, black shirt and scarf for his date with Lizzie - all he needed were the rights props. Nigel’s bicycle pump and stamp albums didn’t quite strike the right note for a risk-taker and party animal.

Nature-loving Nigel (and the diary of Great Unc Edmund):

In 2003 Nigel got into cycling, enthusing about how much more of nature he was noticing since taking up the activity.  He found a fascinating nature diary kept by his great-great uncle Edmund, which led to Nigel getting up early to listen to the dawn chorus - and disturbing Elizabeth.

No Mercy Nigel! (and his accomplice, Rick Turnip)

Highwaymen extraordinaire! In December 2010 Nigel teamed up with best buddy Kenton to play a trick on Lizzie. Was she frightened? Perhaps by that attempt at a Scottish accent. It was a silly and sweet moment between Lizzie and Nigel. Sadly, it was one of their last together. 

Primate Pargetter

Whatever happened to that well worn gorilla outfit? No one wore it quite like Nigel, so perhaps it’s locked away.  

In 1983, Nigel dressed up in the suit, intended for the fancy dress ball at a County Hotel, and burst in on Jill and Shula at Brookfield. He also frightened Tom Forrest in the Country Park.

In 2014, Shula and Elizabeth reminisced about Nigel in his gorilla outfit - Lizzie remembering that Nigel was wearing it when he asked Phil Archer for permission to marry his daughter.

Here's a pic of the happy couple, back in 1994 when they were engaged.

Adam Macy

• At 12 years old gamekeeper Tom Forrest noted Adam had the makings of a real countryman.
• After he graduated from university, Adam travelled in Africa where he really got interested in agriculture.
• His beginnings at Home Farm impressed Brian – suggesting improvements for the sheep and deer, pitching the idea of growing soft fruit and mending a cultivator with a wire coat hanger.

Neil Carter

• Just shy of his sixteenth birthday, Neil became an apprentice for Ambridge Farmers – made up of Brookfield, Allard’s Farm and Barratt’s Farm. Phil and Dan Archer met him at Hollerton Junction train station.
• Early on he failed his proficiency test on safety grounds because he left the fore-end loader up on the tractor.
• His experience with pigs started at Phil’s Hollowtree pig unit.

Ed Grundy

• Through his teens Ed picked up work hand-weeding carrots at Bridge Farm, mowing lawns and helping Eddie with his odd jobs. But he was more interested in playing in his band, Dross.
• He has had casual work pretty much on every farm in Ambridge, though early on Brian said he would only employ him if he was desperate.
• Dependable employment at Grange Farm under Oliver pulled him from a downward spiral with drink and hard drugs.    (Read more about Ed's turbulent early years)

Farming has changed even since Ed got started. There is a different lie of the land for the next generation of farmers in Ambridge. We wait to see how the careers of the likes of Johnny and Pip turn out.

When Robert mentioned he thought Catch-22 was “cracking stuff”, Lynda replied that Joseph Heller’s book was a “searing indictment of the futility and absurdity or war”, which left Robert rather stumped!

Lynda found Crime and Punishment “very stimulating” as well as “harrowing but very powerful”. Coincidentally, while she was reading Dostoyevsky’s tomb, Jill got arrested. Roy joked that the book should be subtitled “the Jill Archer story”.

Lynda’s reading has also unveiled some of the other literary preferences in Ambridge. Roy is a Stephen King fan while Moby-Dick is one of Justin’s all-time favourite books. For Lynda, Moby-Dick has proved to be a struggle. Reading Herman Melville is “like wading through treacle” for her “and that’s when it’s good”. Though she is managing to keep an open mind on whether the shortcoming lies in the book or the reader.

For Lynda’s latest literary reviews and for more information on the books she is reading click here.

Speaking to Woman's Hour, Paddy described Jill's arrest and consequent criminal record as "great fun".

"At last she's done something really heinous!", she added with a chuckle.  

Back in July 1957, Jill had been a demonstrator of household gadgets and was explaining the House Drudge to shoppers in Mitchells, a Borchester department store, when Phil caught sight of her (he'd seen her earlier that month at a fete). He approached her and invited her out for dinner which she turned down. Instead, she half-heartedly agreed to see him at the upcoming Borchester Show. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Read more about how Jill and Phil got together.

Mitchells has long since closed but recently a pop-up pay-what-you can café has been using the site. While volunteering there with Kirsty, Jill reminisced about how she met Phil on the same spot.

Jill's time with Kirsty has enlivened her to environmental and social concerns. And the ousting of the Happy Friends Cafe from their premises by the high end restaurant, Les Soeurs Heureuses, only served to further rile her.

Infamous for their food wastage, the Duxford sisters's PR event for their new enterprise were targeted by a protest. Jill was part of it and in frustration of not being heard, she threw a flapjack which unfortunately landed in Lulu Duxford's eye. 

Fortunately, following her arrest (which came when she encouraged others to follow her flapjack lead), Jill was released with a caution, though even that was too much for her son David! Meanwhile, "the rest of the village will be delighted", according to Paddy, "she [Jill] has fallen off her perch well and truly now, hasn't she?!".

Underneath Caroline’s frustration with the Grundys was a long-standing connection with the family that she always honoured. As godmother to Will she generously treated him at Christmas and on his birthday but also took an active interest in his welfare as he grew into a young man.

When the Grundys were evicted from Grange Farm in 2000, Caroline offered 17-year-old Will the top floor rooms of the Dower House. And when she moved in with Oliver in 2003, she got work done to make his rooms self-contained so he could carry on living there while the rest of the house was rented out.

A great deal of luck seems to have played a part in Caroline becoming a godparent to Will. Back in 1983, against Clarrie's wishes, her dad Jethro as well as Eddie and Joe asked all sorts of people to be godparents to Will. According the the archive: Jethro asked Phil, Joe wanted Alf, Eddie asked Nelson, Joe also asked Mary Pound and Shula was asked by someone! In the end Caroline, Sid and Neil became Will’s godparents.

Ever since her first appearance as Caroline, Sara made the character irreplaceably her own. Tributes to Sara poured in when she passed away earlier this year. Now it's the turn of those in Ambridge to say farewell to their dearest Caroline.

'In a good place as he turns 50'

Andrew Wincott joined the cast of The Archers as Adam Macy in 2003. It was "in the days when we still recorded at Pebble Mill", he recalls.

But taking on the role of Adam wasn't Andrew's first ever Archers appearance. Andrew says, "I also played Thorkil, a Danish agricultural student who worked at Bridge Farm, in 1991 - but that's another story!"

Andrew thinks, "Adam seems to be in a fairly good place as he turns 50. After a few rocky moments with Ian in the last year or two things seem to be reasonably stable now. Charlie is out of the picture and they seem to have put the past behind them.

"Also, life on the farm looks solid now. There's the new partnership agreement in the offing, though we're yet to see how that plays out. He's also brought about changes, not without the customary struggle with Brian, to safeguard the soil following the damage revealed by the flood, protecting the legacy of Home Farm for the whole family.

"But one never knows - expect the unexpected. Life has a strange way of springing surprises. With the effects of any changes post-Brexit yet to appear it's difficult to know what lies ahead for Adam or for the future of farming in Ambridge and the UK."

It makes you wonder if Pip really was aware of Rex’s feelings all along. Back when Rex was trying to find a way to encourage their relationship into more than friendship, Pip appeared oblivious to his advances. Even when Alice explicitly pointed it out to her, Pip played it down.

In the end she got together with the other Fairbrother, Toby. But now that’s over could there yet be a future for Pip and Rex?

Going by Rex’s reaction to Pip’s outburst, perhaps not. One sure way to snuff out unrequited love has to be seeing your sibling achieve the relationship you wished you had. And now there’s Anisha.

The confident, competitive, high-flying vet certainly seems to have brought out a livelier side to Rex which is a pleasant contrast from the moping puppy dog quality he adopted while trying to chat up Pip.

However, we all know (though maybe not Anisha) that there’s a well-established history of attraction between Archers and Fairbrothers…

Dame Edna

I love the irony of placing Lynda away from Ambridge, on a great theatrical high, only to be completely overwhelmed by the glamour, absurdity and charisma of Dame E! Recorded at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Lynda became the butt of some of Edna's jokes but with typical bravura, she reveled in her delusion of having upstaged a superstar!

"Alternative" Lynda

Ever in pursuit of the next good cause, Lynda became obsessed with Feng Shui. As she sought the right “chi” she constantly moved the bedroom furniture for Robert to trip over!

Then there was the time Lynda embraced essential oil therapy and ended up massaging Joe Grundy! It left him rather bewitched, bothered and definitely bewildered! She confidently assumes the role of healer and spiritual know-all – so often to be repeated.

Don Giovanni

This is a classic case of Lynda’s ill-founded claim to be Doyenne of the Arts and Cultural Crusader, born to save Ambridge from the encircling gloom of Eddie Grundy’s Country music.

When a singer for a production of Don Giovanni at Lower Loxley failed to turn up to rehearsal, Lynda was keen to step into the breach but the director rejected her desperate bid to take over the role! Nevertheless, she gallantly brazened out her hurt and embarrassment by criticising the soprano’s "rather thin" voice!

We all snigger behind our hands (along with the Grundys) but there’s a sense, uncomfortably perhaps, of the pathos just under the surface.

The return of Scruff

This saw Lynda in the raw. Scruff had been missing for months since the great Ambridge Flood – probably dead, though no-one dared suggest it... She painfully bottled her feelings, hoping it’ll all be alright, but dreading the truth.

On her first Christmas Eve without Scruff, Lynda sat by the fireside with Leonie while the bells of St Stephen’s rang out. All was peaceful, except for the silent grief in her heart. (Scruff is almost a metaphor for child she never had.) Suddenly, she heard a sound outside, opened the door – and unbelievably, a whimpering Scruffy came to her slowly, out of the dark. Lynda was overwhelmed and even though Scruff was only heard on tape, he could just as easily have been in the room!

Grundy Moments

Many of my favourite moments as Lynda are with the Grundys. Rollicking roughshod over Lynda’s airs and graces, they establish an ongoing basis for some wonderful run-ins, with Lynda getting increasingly irritated and hysterical as Joe and Eddie casually take advantage of her.

A particular favourite was the shepherd’s hut saga – enjoyed as much for the way the writers pushed the bounds of absurdity ever further as each character struggled to outwit the other.

Eddie and Lynda test the strength of his carpentry!

Robert Moments

Dear Robert, the only person in Ambridge and the world to understand Lynda – and still love her!

She tends to drop her "role-play" mode when they’re together and becomes an almost frilly little girl, safe in the understanding that he “knows the truth” about the real Lynda.

She was in tears for nearly two weeks when she thought he’d left her. "P'raps he's gone to Wales", ventured Joe Grundy. "Wales!" screamed Lynda, "We don’t know anybody in Wales!" I had a lot of fun delivering that line!

The Rob Titchener Moment

While catching up on some Amside work in the Home Farm conservatory, Lilian took a call from Rob enquiring about one of her properties available to rent. Lilian couldn’t believe he was serious. Of course, she turned him down and swiftly made a trip to The Bull to celebrate.

Later, she twigged that Justin (who had just employed Rob as Estates Manager) had recommended Amside to Rob. Justin tried to justify his actions but Lilian wasn’t having any of it.

The Best (or Worst?) Moment of All!

Caught with her lover by her sister who then asked Lilian to put some clothes on so that she could properly tell her off. That's got to be the most memorable Lilian and Home Farm moment! A livid Jennifer threatened to cast her out. It took a lot of good behaviour on Lilian’s part to get back in her sister’s good books.

Q. What were your first impressions of Justin?

My first thought about Justin Elliott was that it was ironic that at the beginning of my fifty years as an actor I played a similar character, Captain James Bellamy in Upstairs Downstairs - he too was privileged and seemed unsympathetic at first.

At the outset I doubted Justin’s motives - I feared he was just a greedy capitalist out to exploit Ambridge and line his pockets - he had plans regarding the Route B road that weren’t in anyone’s interest but his own.

Q. When Justin first arrived in Ambridge did you have any idea that he and Lilian would become engaged? Did you have any predictions for him?

Joining The Archers team is a magical mystery tour (not unlike real life), you never know what’s round the corner or what path you and your character are going to take. You climb aboard and wait to see which way the writers will take you.

I had no idea as Justin arrived in Ambridge that he was going to rent the Dower House and fall in love with its gorgeous owner, Lilian Bellamy. Lucky Justin, lucky me.

Q. Now you’ve got to know Justin more, what do you think of him?

As with James Bellamy I’ve grown to like Justin, he is a much kinder more human man than I first thought. I think that Lilian has helped him find a sweeter side to his nature. Life with Miranda had hardened his attitude to people and money. Lilian’s been a good influence on him, his ruthlessness and his bad manners.

Q. Does Justin really love Lilian? Has he made the right decision in choosing her over Miranda?

Difficult to say if Justin was right to leave his wife Miranda, she seems to have so few redeeming qualities, but he found in Lilian a soulmate. She’s funny and clever - sexy too - and their relationship seems to have all the hallmarks of real love…..but you never know, do you?

Q. What is it like playing a married couple (Justin and Miranda) alongside your real-life wife Lucy Fleming? Have you ever been in this situation before?

My real-life wife, Lucy Fleming, could not be more different to Justin’s frightful partner, Miranda and she has loved creating the bitchiness of her. I hope though that people will have some sympathy for Miranda (perhaps she is really insecure or had a miserable childhood) - she surely must have a vulnerable side.

I love working with Lucy, she has a wonderful eye for the truth. We’ve played together many times and she always has a gentle way of keeping my acting on track and stops me messing about.

Q. What has been your favourite scene to play so far as Justin?

I’ve had so many lovely scenes to play as Justin. The writers seem to have really got the measure of him (maybe of me too!). I loved being in the Ambridge Christmas pantomime, Mother Goose, with Kenton playing the hilarious Dame.

On a more serious note it was wonderful to have the scenes with Peggy trying to persuade her that my intentions with Lilian are honourable. I am such a fan of June Spencer - she is simply impeccable.

The physical side of Lilian and Justin’s relationship has gained a lot of attention, particularly the scene in which Jennifer walked in on them! Are there any secrets to conveying passion on radio?!

The raunchy scenes with Lilian are nowhere near as steamy as they may sound - Sunny and I are always laughing. I loved the scene when Jennifer caught us in flagrante - the sound effects man had to stand beside me and do the sound of my trousers going on and my zip being fastened.

Playing love scenes on the radio is tricky because both of you have to face the microphone, so there is not a lot of eye contact and of course you have to keep turning the pages of the script amidst all the heavy breathing.

Has Justin met his match in Matt Crawford?

Both Justin and I were horrified that Matt has returned to Ambridge - that "Hello, Pusscat" sent a chill down our spine. I do so hope he is not going to steal Lilian from under my nose. I’m worried though she has a penchant for rogues like him and I fear there may be unfinished business between the two of them, in more ways than one.

Knowing how the writers like a juicy love triangle I’m sure it’s a situation that can only get worse for the three of us. I suspect there’ll be some meaty scenes to play with poor Lilian torn in two - may the best man win!

What fantasy storyline would you suggest for The Archers?

All of us in The Archers dread being written out of the show, it is the happiest job you can imagine and we all love doing it. But if my (or rather Justin’s) time was up, I’d like to see him revert to being a total bastard so that when he was discovered murdered there would be a terrific Ambridge whodunnit…… Please not yet though.

Here are some more of Miranda’s exceptional moments:

(When they are listed like this they are screaming out for the title Life Hacks by Miranda Elliott. Get yourself a publisher, Miranda!)

Looking after your clothes

When Jennifer welcomed Miranda in to the Home Farm party, Miranda replied with a non-committal “Mmmmm”. Then, as Brian took her coat she asked, “Can it go on a padded hanger, Brian?”

Getting stuff done

On her first appearance in Ambridge, Miranda cast her eye over the Dower House and assessed Lilian’s work on sprucing it up for her and Justin. But before she tackled the interior design she had some admin tasks that needed doing. As she prepared to reel them off she asked Lilian if she had her “little, scribbly pad” to hand.

Accepting an invite

When someone invites you to their party, express some distain and they will quickly raise the stakes!

Valentine’s Day

If one has ever fretted about the 14 February, take a leaf out of Miranda's book.

“Valentine’s Day is Justin’s job. He’ll come up with somewhere no doubt. If there is anywhere decent to eat in the area."