Archers star whose storyline shocked nation dies

Ysanne Churchman, who played Grace Archer in BBC Radio 4's drama The Archers, has died age 99.

The actress, who worked across radio, TV and film for more than 50 years, died peacefully in her home earlier this month, the BBC announced on Friday.

Her character's storyline on the long running radio show was one of the soap's most shocking, and sabotaged the launch of the BBC's rival TV channel.

In 1951, 26-year-old Churchman joined the cast of The Archers. But four years later, on 22 September 1955, her character was killed in a stable fire.

Her death, listened to by more than 20 million people, overshadowed the launch of ITV and became the talk of the nation.

Thousands of distraught listeners jammed the BBC switchboard for 48 hours, and even more people vented their grief in newspaper letters pages.

The storyline saw Grace leave a dinner party to retrieve an earring she thought she’d left in the car.

She noticed the stables were on fire, rushed in to rescue the horses, and the building collapsed on her. She was rushed to hospital but died on the way, in Phil’s arms, after telling him she loved him. They had only been married six months.

Soon after, questions were raised as to why it was Grace, the glamorous young wife of famer Phil Archer, that had to be killed off.

"Was Grace Archer coldly and calmly murdered - to rid the Archers of Ysanne Churchman?" The Daily Mirror asked at the time.

"The BBC know the facts. So does Equity. And, of course, so does Ysanne Churchman. But, dead girls can tell no tales."

In 2015, a BBC Radio 4 docudrama - Dead girls can tell no tale - resolved the mystery of why Churchman's character was killed off.

• The Archers star reveals sacking secret after 60 years

It was "victimisation because I'd been to Equity to get my fees put right", the 90-year-old revealed.

She wanted the same pay as her male co-stars, and for actors to be in the union. The Archers creator Godfrey Baseley allegedly wanted her out.

"But don't feel too sorry for me," Churchman continued. "In some ways Godfrey Baseley may even have done me a favour.

"They say that when one door shuts another opens. And on the very night Grace died, ITV started, and immediately needed people with just exactly my experience to voice the commercials. And so I was able to make a good living from voiceovers for years."

Churchman continued to be involved with The Archers and voiced five other characters, the last being Mary Pound in 1983.

She was also involved in Dr Who, and in 2017, aged 92, voiced alien Alpha Centuari.

Jeremy Howe, Editor of The Archers, said he was "saddened" by Churchman's death.

"Ysanne was a wonderful actress and off air she campaigned tirelessly for equal pay for women in the industry.

"She will be much missed by all at The Archers and our hearts are with her friends and family.”