The BBC needs to look at The Archers – it is like the audience has lost an old friend

The new format doesn’t work – there is nowhere near enough drama, writes Janet Street-Porter

Conduit for social issues: The Archers is a staple BBC drama (BBC)

Since coronavirus arrived on our shores there’s been a huge gap in my life, but I am gradually coming to terms with it.

Every weekday for the last decade, I’ve listened to The Archers, the world’s most popular and long running radio drama. Now, that relationship – longer than my marriages – has come to an abrupt end. Put starkly, I have dumped Peggy, Lynda Snell, Lillian and co. I never want to hear from Freddie and Elizabeth again. Cheerio and good riddance!

The Archers sums up what’s gone wrong with our national broadcaster – last week, their best radio presenter, Ken Bruce, said there must be a “cull” of BBC managers. The first ones that I’d show the door would be the hapless fools in charge of The Archers.