The Archers

Writer: Sarah Hehir Director: David Payne Editor: Jeremy Howe Brian Aldridge.... Charles Collingwood David Archer.... Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer.... Louiza Patikas Jolene Archer.... Buffy Davies Kenton Archer.... Richard Attlee Ruth Archer.... Felicity Finch Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman Chris Carter.... Wilf Scolding Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin Ruairi Donovan.... Arthur Hughes George Grundy ... Angus Stobie Jakob Hakansson.... Paul Venables Kate Madikane.... Perdita Avery Akram Malik.... Asif Khan Azra Malik.... Yasmin Wilde Reginald Turnock.... Trevor Fox

Chris struggles to keep his cool, and Ruth faces an impossible task.

Susan treads carefully, and the Aldridge clan go into battle.

Brian has reservations, and tempers flare at the Bull.

Alice receives a surprising request, and Akram has a dilemma on his hands.

Helen makes a surprising offer, and Azra offers the benefit of experience.

Writer: David Payne Director: Pip Swallow Editor: Jeremy Howe4th - 9th JanuaryHelen Archer.... Louiza Patikas Henry Archer.... Blayke Darby Jolene Archer.... Buffy Davis Tony Archer.... David Troughton Brian Aldridge.... Charles Collingwood Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman Neil Carter.... Brian Hewlett Amber Gordon.... Olivia Bernstone Clarrie Grundy.... Heather Bell Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy.... Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan Will Grundy.... Philip Molloy Joy Horville.... Jackie Lye Akram Malik.... Asif Khan Jazzer McCreary.... Ryan Kelly Fallon Rogers.... Joanna Van Kampen

There's a change of heart at the Bull, and Akram attempts to help.

Emma makes a decision, and Jazzer is surprisingly unwilling.

Will's behaviour causes concern, and Helen has reservations.

Tony offers the benefit of his experience, and Joy has a suggestion.

The residents reel from the events of New Year, and Jolene makes a shocking discovery.

Writer: Tim Stimpson Director: Jessica Bunch Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge.... Charles Collingwood  Lilian Bellamy.... Sunny Ormonde Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman Chris Carter.... Wilf Scolding Neil Carter.... Brian Hewlett Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin Rex Fairbrother.... Nick Barber Amber Gordon.... Olivia Bernstone Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy.... Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan Will Grundy.... Philip Molloy Brad Horrobin.... Taylor Uttley Tracy Horrobin.... Susie Riddell Jazzer McCreary.... Ryan Kelly Fallon Rogers.... Joanna Van Kampen

It's panic stations in Ambridge, and one resident makes a heartbreaking discovery.

George goes on the rampage with shocking consequences, and Alice finds herself facing a difficult negotiation.

Hell is unleashed at the Horrobins, and Rex lends a friendly ear.

Events spiral out of control for the Grundys, and Amber makes a big decision.

Brad struggles with his conscience, and Chris is determined to move forwards.

WEEK 51Writer: Naylah Ahmed Director: Peter Leslie Wild Editor: Jeremy Howe21st - 26th DecemberJolene Archer.... Buffy Davis Kenton Archer.... Richard Attlee Pat Archer.... Patricia Gallimore Tony Archer..... David Troughton Harrison Burns.... James Cartwright Ruairi Donovan.... Arthur Hughes Alan Franks.... John Telfer George Grundy..... Angus Stobie Joy Horville.... Jackie Lye Adam Macy.... Andrew Wincott Jazzer McCreary.... Ryan Kelly Esme Mulligan.... Ellie Pawsey Hannah Riley.... Helen Longworth Fallon Rogers.... Joanna Van Kampen Lynda Snell.... Carole Boyd

Jolene and Kenton start early on some cleaning jobs before Fallon arrives and gives them the present of Christmas Day off while Harrison and her take over for the day. Later, Harrison broaches the subject of George, but Fallon warns him off. Harrison though is grateful to Kenton for trying to protect him from hearing about what happened, even at the cost of being traumatised again. Fallon insists, no more George, not on Christmas Day. Trying a different tack later, Harrison tells Fallon he's been working on his anger management – and it paid off when Kenton got scared by George and Holly. Dealing with what George said to Fallon will be harder, but Harrison suggests dealing with it together in whatever way Fallon prefers. Fallon repeats that she just wants a lovely Christmas together and not to think about George, which Harrison accepts. Alan catches Hannah going nowhere in particular. She explains about her mum's dementia and how her planned visit today has been postponed. As she doesn't have any other plans, Alan invites Hannah for a drink at the pub. Where Fallon catches Kenton and Jolene raiding the kitchen for snacks, while the hired-in chef is serving in the restaurant. They confess that rather than heading to Lower Loxley they'd prefer to stay in, slobbing about in pyjamas. Fallon offers to pass on their excuses, before she joins Hannah for Christmas dinner. It's clear Hannah would have eaten alone otherwise, as she usually does. Joined by tipsy Jolene, they pull crackers together and drink in the Christmas spirit.

Hannah and Jazzer are driving their tractor to the start of the Run when Tony calls saying there's a problem with his Fordson. He offers Hannah his place at the head of the line. Hannah thinks it's a ploy for Tony to nab her position at the back, but Jazzer believes Tony and persuades her to agree. Hannah makes it clear how serious she is about winning the race to collect most money. Everyone then loves it as Hannah and turkey Jazzer lead the Run with angelic Eddie not far behind. Fresh from his motorbike stint, wise man Alan joins Joy to count the donations, with firm instructions to count Hannah and Tony's buckets separately. Meanwhile, Lynda and Ruairi are marshals making sure everything runs smoothly. Ruairi wants to know if buying Paul a watch to apologise for upsetting him is a good idea and Lynda delivers a little sermon about not conflating a gift with an apology when the sincerity of the apology is what really matters. Then Tony's Fordson passes with sleigh bells, a snow machine and Pat dressed as an elf, before Ruairi runs over to apologise to Paul sans gift. Alan confesses he inadvertently mixed all the collected money together, but Joy is happy to deal with Hannah and Tony if they kick up a fuss. Joy then announces they've raised over £1200 for charity, while Hannah and Tony are mutually complimentary about their entries, before wishing each other a Merry Christmas!

Kenton makes an admission, and Hannah gets competitive.

Suspicions are raised for Harrison, and Joy realises a new approach might be needed.

Fallon is left shaken, and Ruairi has a Christmas conundrum.

Writer: Sarah Hehir Director: Pip Swallow Editor: Jeremy Howe14th - 19th Dec Ben Archer.... Ben Norris David Archer.... Timothy Bentinck Helen Archer.... Louiza Patikas Pat Archer.... Patricia Gallimore Tony Archer.... David Troughton Tom Archer.... William Troughton Chris Carter.... Wilf Scolding Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin Martyn Gibson.... Jon Glover Clarrie Grundy.... Heather Bell Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy.... Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan Tracy Horrobin.... Susie Riddell Joy Horville.... Jackie Lye Jazzer McCreary.... Ryan Kelly Esme Mulligan.... Ellie Pawsey

Susan has cause for celebration, and Emma's worries escalate.

David has concerns for a loved one, and Jazzer finds himself the subject of ridicule.

Pat offers some pearls of wisdom, and there's tractor trouble at Bridge Farm.

Chris has the rug pulled, and Eddie spots an opportunity.

Clarrie puts her foot down, and a plot is afoot for Ben.

Writer: Keri Davies Director: Rosemary Watts Editor: Jeremy Howe7th Dec - 12th DecBen Archer.... Ben Norris Josh Archer.... Angus Imrie Leonard Berry.... Paul Copley Alan Franks.... John Telfer Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond Lawrence Harrington.... Rupert Vansittart  Paul Mack.... Joshua Riley Akram Malik.... Asif Khan Azra Malik.... Yasmin Wilde Zainab Malik.... Priyasasha Kumari Lily Pargetter.... Katie Redford Lottie Summers.... Bonnie Baddoo

There's an emergency at the surgery, and Josh faces disappointment.

Paul fears for a friend, and Alan makes an unexpected offer.

Ed struggles to do the right thing, and Leonard steps in to help.

The Maliks have a dilemma on their hands, and Ben's nursing skills are put to the test.

Azra has a crisis on her hands, and Lily is faced with an arduous task.

Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes Director: Rosemary Watts Editor: Jeremy Howe30th Nov - 5th DecemberPat Archer.... Patricia Gallimore Tony Archer.... David Troughton Chris Carter.... Wilf Scolding Neil Carter.... Brian Hewlett Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin Ian Craig.... Stephen Kennedy Amber Gordon.... Olivia Bernstone Clarrie Grundy.... Heather Bell Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy.... Trevor Harrison Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan George Grundy.... Angus Stobie Brad Horrobin.... Taylor Uttley Joy Horville.... Jackie Lye Alistair Lloyd.... Michael Lumsden Adam Macy.... Andrew Wincott Hannah Riley.... Helen Longworth

Ed faces a heartbreaking situation, and there's rivalry building for Hannah.

Pat offers a helping hand, and Tony makes his pitch.

Brad faces a sad goodbye, and Ian makes a suggestion.

Amber struggles with her emotions, and Joy has reservations.

Eddie's concerned about Clarrie, whose hands are swollen and sore. With turkey plucking day fast approaching it leaves them with a problem. Clarrie shouldn't be doing it, but she sees little alternative. Everyone she's tried for help is busy. Eddie ponders; there must be something they can do. Later Clarrie's horrified to find Eddie's taken the back off the washing machine. He's had an idea that might make her life a bit easier. Clarrie retorts the only thing that will do that is if he puts the machine back together, this instant. Reassuringly Eddie makes a trip to the scrapyard and acquires a drum and motor to progress his plan. He now has the makings of a Grundy Turkey Plucker! No more hand plucking necessary – Clarrie won't have to lift a finger. Sceptical Clarrie's will believe it when she sees it.Chris makes plans to drop off Martha for a sleepover while he has a date with Carly. When George finds out Martha's staying at Little Grange he says he'll come over – he hasn't seen Martha for ages and misses her. He wants to check in on Ed anyway. Emma hesitates before agreeing it's fine. Later Ed and Emma note how pleased Martha was to see George. Emma's glad he's come. However Chris calls in unexpectedly and is shocked to find George there. This can't happen, and Alice would agree. He takes Martha home. George feels bad; he understands where Chris is coming from. Dejected, he leaves. Emma's worried about him; she's never seen him like this.