The Archers

Lynda makes a friend, and it’s an emotional day for Susan.

Alice invites Brian to join her, Martha and Chris at Ambridge View. As Brian admires the garden layout he and Alice reminisce about their old home. The garden was Jennifer’s pride and joy. Kate’s efforts on Christmas Day has made Brian realise you don’t have to do Christmas the same way every year. As Brian observes how well Alice is doing, they discuss the potential new job on offer. Alice is tempted but despite the allure, staying at the Stables will give her more control over rebuilding her relationship with Martha. And she really loves the work. Joy brings Rochelle to the Bull. Jolene offers them all champagne on the house to say congratulations, but Joy hurriedly stops Jolene saying any more. She quietly explains the non-proposal to Jolene, who realises Rochelle’s arrival scuppered Joy’s plan. Jolene agrees to bring the bubbly over and just say congrats on Mick and Joy moving in together. Over lunch, Rochelle finds out more about Mick and Joy. She also realises Joy has talked her up to Jolene about her

Alan and Will wait for the shop to open. Seeing Will’s at a loose end, Alan invites him to the Vicarage for a chat. Over a cuppa Will admits he’s hurt and upset that George won’t see him , or other family members. He misses his son, who must surely need his dad. Emotional Will leaves, so later Alan pops round to No 1 The Green with a project to offer him. Perhaps he could do some voluntary work redesigning the flower beds around the churchyard. After some initial resistance Will agrees to think about it. Jakob and Paul attend to an injured horse and chat about their respective Christmas celebrations. Paul admits it was strange spending time with Alistair and Denise in his Mum’s family home. He teasingly compliments Jakob on how good he’s getting at small talk. Rochelle apologises to Joy for being away so long. Joy’s keen to know more about Harper and Noah, but Rochelle deflects, as does Joy about her accident. Rochelle helps Joy out at the shop but refuses to discuss her relationship. Joy eventually share

The Christmas morning chat outside church focuses on lunch, and Mick relates his crash course in festive cooking courtesy of Joy. Alice quietly wishes Joy well with her secret proposal plan. Later Alice diverts Brian while Kate prepares lunch. She’s pleased to see Brian in such a good mood. He jokes he’s anxious about whatever Kate’s secretly cooking up. Alice admits that she’s been asked about applying for a job similar to her old one at Pryce Baumann. Kate’s prepared a Scandi Christmas meal and furnished the yurt. Everyone’s delighted. Jakob was taken completely by surprise, but admits to Alice he was looking forward to turkey! He checks in with her, and she asserts she’s feeling better generally. Brian makes a heartfelt speech and they toast a bright future. Joy urges Mick to take a cracker as she nervously gets everything in place for her big moment. But just as they go to pull the all-important ‘proposal’ cracker, there’s a ring of the doorbell. Joy’s stunned and ecstatic to see her daughter, Rochelle

Stressed Kenton still needs Mick to move his motor home. But Mick has a surprise for him in the Bull car park, which he says will help trade. He’s turned his van into Santa’s Grotto, with assistance from Joy. Kenton can’t help being impressed Kenton marvels as Mick, not the most natural Santa, entertains the kids. The location of the grotto momentarily reminds Kenton of where he was attacked, and he updates Joy on the infamous Markie. Joy reflects on the car accident in which she could have died; it’s time to live in the present. She shares her plans to propose to Mick on Christmas Day. Kenton needs to keep it quiet though. He offers congratulations, but then panics as a large truck arrives. He’d forgotten he’d booked it to tow Mick’s motor home away! He rushes to intercept it. Kate ushes people into St Stephen’s for the choir concert. Alan’s grateful to Jakob for playing the organ at tonight’s midnight service. Flustered Brian demands to talk to Alan about his concert tickets, which he realises he overpaid

Eddie sells Jolene some tickets for the concert at St. Stephen’s. Jolene queries the price, but Eddie claims he bought them from a different website. Jolene asks Alan about the price of tickets, and when Alan mentions they’re twenty pounds, Eddie desperately covers telling Alan they were VIP tickets and that’s why they were expensive. Jolene and Alan round on Eddie. Realising he’s been caught out he offers to give Jolene her money back. Alan asks Eddie how many tickets he bought and tells him he must refund everybody. Eddie has to come clean, telling Alan he can’t refund as he’s already spent the money on a new drone for George’s business. Thinking on his feet, he offers a Grundy goodie bag instead. Jakob finds Kate looking at holidays. Although she’s happy they’re going somewhere warm, she wishes they could do a Scandi city break too. Jakob points out they can do that any time. Kate looks forward to cooking Christmas lunch for the family. They’ll be eating in one of the yurts and she warns Jakob to keep it

Mick and Joy make eggnog and wrap presents. Mick’s really looking forward to doing Christmas with Joy now they’re ‘housemates’! Kenton spoils the mood as he gives Mick short shrift about his motor home, still parked outside The Bull. Time’s up, and if Mick can’t get it moved, Kenton will have to take action. Eddie drops them off a turkey, and Mick takes the opportunity to ask about some other Christmassy bits and pieces Eddie has. He tells Joy he’s got an idea for his old van – it might as well go out with a bang. Ticket tout Eddie tries to flog them tickets for the St Stephen’s concert. Will comments on all the stuff in Eddie’s van that he’s hoping to sell for last minute Christmas goodies. Will’s dismayed that everyone’s doing Christmas Day separately. George still isn’t speaking to them; at least he’s in contact with Poppy and Keira. Eddie acknowledges it’s not easy on anyone. Eddie gives stranded Brian a lift home, enlisting his help on his delivery round. He’s grateful for Brian’s help, and Brian expre

Natasha’s self-conscious about their small, messy home as visiting Brenda talks about her assets. Natasha’s ears prick up on hearing the new offer on Kirsty’s house is not proving straightforward. Brenda’s heading to Birmingham tomorrow and asks Kirsty to keep her updated on the Beechwood house sale, reminding her that the clock is ticking for Roy and Hayley and the sale of Willow Farm. Bold Natasha reiterates her offer on the Beechwood house to Kirsty, and after some reassurance about Helen, Kirsty accepts. Natasha promises it’ll be the easiest house sale ever. Ed and Emma aren’t keen on the idea of The Grundys and Carters spending Christmas Day together at Ambridge View, especially as Eddie could end up on his own. Clarrie’s disappointed the St Stephen’s concert is sold out, although Eddie doesn’t seem bothered. At Lower Loxley Ed tries to persuade Emma to put on some skates as he joins Keira on the ice. Vince catches Emma alone and she shares her worries about George. Vince mentions how Freddie turned

Helen reminds Clarrie and Susan about buying tickets for the Christmas Eve concert at St Stephen’s. Susan and Clarrie discuss Emma’s sadness at them not all being together on Christmas Day. Susan offers to come over to Grange Farm with Neil on the day – could Clarrie convince Eddie to agree? Tom attempts to explain to Helen that his actions over the Beechwood house weren’t deliberate. Helen admits she overreacted; she was just a bit jealous. The house would be perfect for Tom and his family. Helen assumes neither of them are now buying the house, but when Tom mentions the counter offer he and Natasha are putting in, Helen’s furious once again. Later, Tom has a solution – he and Natasha buy the house and Helen and the boys move in temporarily. Helen comes round to the idea. Now Tom needs to talk to Kirsty and stop her selling elsewhere. Eddie thanks Brad for visiting George. The best thing they can do for him is to make sure he has something to come home to. But Brad shares that George’s drone needs fixing

Concerned Ruth allows Leonard to continue trying to be useful as he recovers from his injury; he’s getting busy vacuuming. David’s not sure how much more he can take. Ruth points out they can’t order him not to help. After damaging a lampshade, Leonard helps Ruth and David with fresh bedding for the Herefords. Leonard talks fondly of his son in Singapore, who he misses. Leonard feels like a hindrance. Ruth and David show their appreciation and offer him more jobs to take on: he can be on mulled wine duty for guests in the events barn this evening. Leonard realises he’s better helping around the farm than in the house, but as David lists more jobs, Ruth points out he’s not free labour. Later Leonard tells them how much he’s looking forward to sharing this special time of year with them. He hasn’t looked forward to Christmas this much for a long time. David assures him the feeling’s mutual. Susan reminds Emma that they can’t force George to see them. Brad reports back from his prison visit that George thinks it

Kirsty senses Brad has something on his mind, and she gets him to help her with putting up boxes for dormice. He talks about having seen Mia on Sunday and admits he’s apprehensive about visiting George in prison tomorrow. He’s the only person George will let visit him and Brad isn’t keen to be a go-between. Kirsty points out that no-one’s beyond redemption and it’s good Brad is visiting George, although George is not his responsibility. Brenda catches up with Helen, full of compliments about what Helen has achieved. They gossip about the locals and Brenda’s love life. Brenda mentions Tom and Natasha wanting to buy the house Helen’s in, which leaves Helen confused. Buoyant Natasha gives Tom the news from the mortgage advisor. They can get a large loan, but it’s because Natasha offered a bigger deposit of £50,000. Tom’s shocked, but Natasha has an idea. They can use the safety net money from her business. Helen confronts them about buying Kirsty’s house, and Natasha tries to justify their actions. When Helen

Feathers are ruffled by a visitor, and Leonard overdoes it.

Emma’s tired from gutting turkeys and presses Ed to get off the sofa, as there’s loads to do for Christmas. They discuss doing something nice with Keira on Friday, how much effort Clarrie puts in to Christmas dinner, and where everyone will be this year. Emma knows that it’s all a distraction for Clarrie, to help them not worry about George. Emma can’t bear the thought of not seeing George over Christmas, but George won’t let them visit. She hopes Brad will persuade him. Helen swears Natasha to secrecy as she reveals Joy’s planning to propose to Mick on Christmas Day. Helen admits to Tom and Natasha she may have to move in with Pat and Tony. Tom wonders what Helen’s heard about the house sale. Helen just hopes the couple interested don’t snap it up too quickly, so she can find somewhere else to live. Tom’s anxious to withdraw their offer to Kirsty, but Natasha says they don’t actually know how Helen would feel about it until they talk to her. Kirsty realises they haven’t told Helen and senses Tom and Natasha

Kirsty tells Natasha that she hasn’t heard anything more from Gavin, but Lynda had an interesting chat with him. It’s made Kirsty think again about giving Gavin something. She can afford it and she could then sell the house with a clear conscience. She’s going to see him at his hostel. Helen turns up confirming to Kirsty that it’s ok for to do another house viewing tomorrow. Natasha’s ears prick up when she hears it’s their second viewing.Later Helen tells Joy she hasn’t had any luck finding anywhere to move to, but wonders how Joy’s getting on with Mick staying at her house. Joy says they’re having a ball and she’s going to propose to Mick on Christmas Day!Gavin explains to Kirsty that he was really nervous about seeing Lynda and she didn’t let him off the hook. But she also said she didn’t want him to be miserable either. Gavin can’t expect people to forgive him, but he can try to do something better with his life. Kirsty says she would like to help him, offering some money. But Gavin’s adamant t

Family and friends prepare the Tearoom ready for Pat and Tony’s 50th Wedding Anniversary party. Tony’s had the task of keeping the surprise from Pat, and she’s delighted when she gets there. She can’t believe that Tony managed to keep it a secret from her. When Mick congratulates Tony on his long marriage, Tony says that he and Pat have weathered many storms, but he wouldn’t have wanted to go through them with anyone else. Talk turns to Mick staying at Joy’s, with Mick explaining that it’s only over Christmas and then they’ll see. But he’s enjoying the home comforts and being with Joy of course. Tony reckons Jolene and Kenton will be rooting for them – they probably can’t wait to get his old campervan off their car park! Elsewhere Joy chats to Tom and Natasha saying it’s a shame Helen’s moving out from next door to her. When Natasha says what a great house it is, Joy suggests that Tom and Natasha move in. Joy heads off to mingle and Natasha points out to Tom that they can’t rent forever; Seren and Nov

When Robert tells Lynda that Gavin turned up to sniff around his dad’s old house, Kirsty’s not sure that’s true as Gavin hasn’t asked for any money. Lynda’s jumpy and Robert wonders if she’s ok as she’s been like that since she got back from the Christmas Market yesterday. Later Lynda tells Kirsty that she met Gavin yesterday, but didn’t want Robert to know. She thought Gavin looked utterly broken and full of remorse, like he was seeking some kind of redemption. Kirsty admits she felt the same when she saw him and wonders whether he deserves a second chance.Later when Lynda confesses to Robert about seeing Gavin, he’d already guessed. Jim had seen Lynda having a lift in Alan’s car. He apologises to her saying he’s been selfish and hopes it was healing for her. Tearful Lynda admits she wanted to forgive Gavin, but she couldn’t. Especially when she has to look at her scars every day. But Robert says they remind him what a remarkable woman he married. They agree they’re lucky to have each other.David’s s

Ruth and David drive along a country lane and chat about Rewilding Ambridge’s plans to introduce beavers. David’s concerned because he’s seen lots of stories about beaver damage. They spot Leonard who’s cycling towards them and give him a friendly honk. But when they look back to check if he saw them, see that he’s crashed.Alan drives Lynda along the same country lane where Alan worries about upsetting Robert yesterday. He checks that Lynda’s sure she doesn’t want Robert to know that they’re going to see Gavin. But she’s very clear; Robert would only try to stop her if he knew. They’re stopped in their tracks when they spot Ruth and David helping shell-shocked Leonard out of a ditch. After checking everything's ok with Leonard, Lynda and Alan head on to a café where Gavin explains how sorry he is about the explosion at Grey Gables. He hopes that if Lynda hears how his life’s been destroyed by it too, it might help her. But Lynda says his suffering can’t give back what was taken from her and lists the ph

Natasha and Tom chat about plans for Pat and Tony’s 50th wedding anniversary on Thursday. Tom confirms that Pat just wants a quiet family celebration along with their weekend break. Natasha then brings up the subject of buying Kirsty’s house. She’s been looking at some mortgage deals and reckons they could afford to buy it. Tom agrees it would be nice to have somewhere bigger, but he’s in no rush to move.Later Natasha catches up with Kirsty, who tells her about Gavin turning up yesterday. He’d seen her house was for sale and Kirsty wonders if he feels he’s entitled to something from it. When Natasha is dismissive of this, Kirsty explains that both she and Gavin were taken in by Philip. Gavin’s his son – maybe he should have some of the proceeds from the sale. But Natasha’s clear Kirsty doesn’t owe Gavin anything. Robert’s in a tense mood and Lynda correctly guesses it’s because she bumped into Gavin last night. Robert can’t believe that Gavin would dare show his face in Ambridge, he should still be i

Kirsty’s shocked when Gavin shows up at her Beechwood house. He’s been released from prison and saw that Kirsty’s house was for sale. Presuming she was moving away, Gavin wanted to catch Kirsty before she left. He confesses he didn’t know how he agreed to using a slave workforce with his dad. He knew it was wrong, but Philip convinced him that they were doing the slaves a favour. When Kirsty asserts Gavin could’ve stopped it sooner, Gavin says he did eventually, even though it meant going to jail. Kirsty suddenly realises she can’t cope with the conversation and asks him to leave.Joy waits with nervous Mick wait as he’s about to go on as Santa in The Bull’s ‘Creepy Christmas’ event. He didn’t get much sleep last night in his van in The Bull car park. Afterwards Alan tells Lynda if she can put Mick’s performance together at such notice, it’s still possible to put on a village panto. But Lynda thinks that’s a tall order. Joy says there’s a panto in Felpersham this year, perhaps they could put on a trip

As Fallon’s trying to change her car’s flat tyre just outside Ambridge, Ed pulls up and offers to help. When Fallon asks how Emma is, Ed says she was in bits after Mick’s comments in the pub yesterday. They chat about how George is getting on in prison, and Ed admits they’re really worried about him. George is refusing to see them and has made friends with some really hard cases. Fallon reckons George is probably just doing what he can to get by. But Ed wonders who George is going to be by the time he leaves prison. Fallon’s really glad her friendship with Ed and Emma’s getting back on track, telling Ed she’s around if he ever needs a chat and they hug.Joy visits Emma to let her know that she doesn’t support Mick’s complaint against her. She thinks Mick’s upset and angry about the crash and he’s taking it out on Emma. Joy understands how difficult things have been for Emma, but George saved Joy’s life, when he could have run off and left everyone to drown. And that Emma’s a good mum, despite everything