The Archers airs first-ever lesbian wedding in show's 75-year history – before shocking cliffhanger

Seventy-five years after beloved radio soap The Archers debuted, the programme has just featured its first ever lesbian wedding.

The latest episode, which aired on Sunday 18 October, saw Pip Archer (Daisy Badger) and Stella Pryor (Lucy Speed) get married during a storm.

In her vows, Stella said: "Whatever happens, we will weather it and I can promise you that I will do my very best to protect you from the worst of the storms that life throws at us. To look after you and your lovely girl Rosie the best I possibly can.

"To support you and adore you. My ultimate goal is to give you the happiest of lives, because you’re my universe Pip, and I couldn’t love you more. I cannot wait to be your wife."

Meanwhile, Daisy said: "I’m nervous – Stella just made me cry. That was so beautiful. Stella, my life is so much better and so much more interesting because of you. You excite me, you challenge me, but you ground me too and keep me on the straight and narrow, even though you’re not straight – and turns out nor am I.

"You were my friend, and then my girlfriend, and in a few minutes you’ll be my wife. Meeting you is like coming home, and I promise now in front of our beloved friends and family I will love you forever and ever."

Eddie Grundy and his wife Clarrie missed the ceremony after the roof of their pole barn came loose in the storm.

However, things took a dramatic turn as the episode ended with a cliffhanger, which saw Vince Casey and hairdressing student Chelsea Horrobin in peril. As they braved the storm to clear the road, a tree apparently fell on the latter.

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What happens next will be revealed in Monday 19 October's episode, which will air at 7pm.

Speaking with Radio Times ahead of the wedding episode, it was suggested to Badger and Speed that an affair storyline could come up for their characters in future, which Badger said would be "quite spicy".

"It might be that Stella goes off. She did once mention a previous relationship being difficult," Badger said.

Speed added: "I think that Stella worries whether Pip was making the right decision. There’s bravery in coming out, finding yourself, falling for another woman."

It comes 20 years after the soap aired its first gay ceremony, with Adam Macy and Ian Craig entering into a civil partnership in 2006, before getting married in 2015.

The Archers airs Sunday to Friday at 7pm on BBC Radio 4.

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Authors

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.