Charles Collingwood marks 50 years on The Archers

Actor Charles Collingwood is celebrating his 50 years on the BBC Radio 4 soap, The Archers. The 81-year-old plays Brian Aldridge, a character he first portrayed in March 1975. Collingwood expressed his gratitude for reaching this milestone during an interview with BBC Breakfast. He reflected on his time with the show, noting how lucky he feels to have enjoyed such a long career. Since starting at age 31, he has maintained a positive outlook as he approaches his 82nd birthday in May. Although he joked about being too old for farming, he enjoys his character's complexity. Collingwood described Brian as a "philanderer" with flaws but urged people not to view him solely as a villain. He believes that characters need redeeming qualities to be interesting. He has enjoyed exploring Brian's relationships, including his role as a father to Alice, who is facing challenges with alcohol. He shared that revisiting his early work was an enlightening experience. Collingwood had the opportunity to listen to his first episode during a podcast and was surprised by the difference in his performance over the years. The Archers began as an educational program for farmers in 1950, amidst food rationing in Britain. It has since grown into a beloved radio drama, with a vast audience.