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club to commemorate his death annually with the Single Wicket
Competition, with the winner awarded the Mark Hebden Trophy. The next year, Shula reignited her relationship with Simon. While dating Shula, Simon Pemberton was involved with Harriet, an old flame. Before Caroline could tell Shula, Guy died of a heart attack. When Shula defended Simon's actions over the funeral, Caroline spilled the beans. Shula confronted Simon, who lashed out at her. Although the relationship was over, she remained managing the Estate office. Simon hit his then girlfriend Debbie Aldridge (
473:
fund his addiction, and borrowed money from David. Scouring gambling addiction websites for answers, Shula got
Alistair back on track by being more "spontaneous" and taking walks and bike rides. They renovated the bedroom. But the couple would be rocked again when Alistair lost the Brookfield dairy factory contract and began gambling again, this time racking up a total debt of £100,000 – £40,000 on credit cards and £60,000 to Matt Crawford. The couple remortgaged the business to pay off the debts and Alistair started attending
404:, who won her heart. Everything was going swimmingly until Simon published a photo of Shula on horseback headlined "Hunting on the Dole". She later lost her virginity to him in a cornfield. In 1978, Shula was dumped by Simon Parker and fled for London, where she found work and began dating her father's former farming student, Nick Wearing. The couple left for an overland hippy backpacking trip. But the holiday did not go to plan, with Nick continuing on to Australia and Shula landing a job in
435:
But her heart was still with him, and she flew to Hong Kong in 1985. Mark returned with her, and the pair were married in
September. Shula would later become manager of The Estate, while Mark took a job at a Birmingham law firm. In 1989, Shula persuaded Mark to invest almost £50,000 in her brother Kenton's antique business. The financial outlay put stress on the marriage, amplified by the fact the couple could not conceive. Shula was eventually diagnosed with
464:. Being supported by Dr Richard Locke, Shula started an affair with him. But when she couldn't abandon her beloved Ambridge, Richard departed, making an enemy for Shula of his partner Usha Gupta. Betrayed Alistair nonetheless declared his continuing love on a walk up Lakey Hill. He and Shula were married on Christmas Eve. In 2001, Shula bought Christine's equestrian business.
370:'s most successful children's shows. Her husband, Charles Collingwood, says when the call went out for the casting of 12-year-old Shula Archer, a fellow cast member cried: "Judy Bennett - she's so talented - I hate her!". While playing the role, Judy would also play the roles of her younger siblings Kenton and Elizabeth, as well as her cousin Adam Macy, until his voice broke.
379:
often we're ships that pass in the night. I'll go up to Pebble Mill for a morning recording and he'll go up in the afternoon. We don't talk about The
Archers that much, because it's only for one week a month and we do other things the rest of the time. But I like having him in the cast, it's the companionship".
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found the character's calling "an interesting one". He noted "She's been a churchwarden for years, and very much in the orbit of St
Stephen's. However, it does feel a little bit as if Shula fancies the local builder, doesn't know how to handle that, gets divorced, and then, in the vacuum, discovers a
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after 51 years. Her final appearance as Shula aired on 30 September 2022, as Shula leaves the village to become an ordained vicar. Of her departure, Bennett stated "I've absolutely loved it and met so many friends. But the time has come to leave and I'm feeling happy". Although
Bennett rarely shared
429:
her mother had just died. Doris left Glebe
Cottage to Shula in her will, and the 22-year-old began preparing for her impending nuptials. Stressed by the upcoming wedding, Shula found comfort in flirting with another journalist, Robin Catchpole. She remained faithful, but called the wedding off with
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Ben Warner. She dumped him when he was convicted of burglary. In 1983, Mark become engaged to upper-crust Sarah Locke. Shula began dating Nigel
Pargetter, a door-to-door swimming pool salesman. Shula would soon break up with Nigel, as Mark would also break off his engagement and move to Hong Kong.
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Alistair developed a gambling addiction in 2003 after joining Nigel and Kenton's poker nights. At the height of the problem, Shula's credit card declined at the supermarket and by
February he was in £8,000 worth of gambling debt. Shula discovered he'd been taking money from their joint account to
447:
In 1994, Mark was driving home when an out-of-control driver overtook him on a bend, and as he swerved to avoid
Caroline Bone's horse, slammed into a tree and was killed instantly. His death was made even more tragic with the news Shula was finally pregnant. Shula organised with the local cricket
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Bennett and Collingwood began working on children's shows together in the early 1970s and became a "proper couple" in 1974. He credits her for gaining his role the following year as Brian Aldridge. "We very seldom work together on The Archers," Bennett says. "We're rarely in the same episodes, so
511:
praised the character's journey and portrayal by Judy Bennett, stating "Judy's wonderful Shula rarely raises her silken voice, and has always sounded calm and reasonable as she rampaged through the village, travelling from everybody's nightmare image of a teenager across half a century of broken
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Shula's son, Daniel, leaves Ambridge to join the Army in 2014. Four years later, Shula begins feeling unhappy in her marriage. She and Alistair undergo counselling and take meditation classes to try to repair their union. Exhausting all options, Shula and Alistair then opt to divorce. Alistair
392:
Shula Archer was born into the show on 8 August 1958. Phil and Jill named their children 'Shula' and 'Kenton' by throwing alphabet blocks into the air. Shula would start her A levels with the hopes of becoming an event rider in 1973. Three years later, Shula realised she would never have the
334:, Shula has been featured in some of the show's most controversial and high-profile storylines including the death of her first husband Mark, her affair with the village doctor, and her struggles to conceive children which ultimately led to a successful
430:
only six weeks to go. Mark moved on with his life, allowing David Archer's ex-girlfriend Jackie Woodstock, to move into his cottage. A livid Shula, angry at the thought of another woman sharing the home she'd planned to set up with Mark, began dating
39:
494:
passion for Jesus." Mustard thought Shula's interview with the Borchesters Diocesan Director of Ordinands was portrayed well, but he thought that her decision was being played out as "a career change rather than a vocation."
416:
Flighty Shula finally won the acceptance of her parents when she began dating lawyer Mark Hebden (Richard Derrington). The union was going over well until Mark took a swipe at the Borchester bench, labelling Shula's father,
507:
scenes with her husband Charles Collingwood's character Brian, they had a chance to act together during her last recording session. The scene sees Brian telling Shula that he hopes she will stay in touch. Editor
512:
hearts and marriages to becoming a pillar of the Ambridge community. Judy has been a brilliant Shula. Thank you Judy. We shall miss you." Bennett reprised the role in December 2023, as Shula returns to talk to
439:. She then decided to give up having a baby due to the strain on the marriage. Her sister Elizabeth's abortion in 1992 would be to Shula's horror, given her ordeal in attempting to bear children.
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327:. After Bennett announced her departure from the show in September 2022, Shula's exit scenes aired on 30 September. She later made brief returns in December 2023 and February 2024.
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official website describes Shula as being a "pillar of the church" whose "first love was horses" and has a "sometimes troubled heart". Bennett has been married to
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website said Shula had "plenty of boyfriends" upon her return, including Neil Carter and Nigel Pargetter. But it was Simon Parker, editor of the
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421:, and other magistrates as "amateurs". Nonetheless, Shula accepted his marriage proposal. Tragedy struck later in 1980 when her grandmother
516:(Sunny Ormonde) about her plans for The Stables. She returned again on 1 February 2024 after Kenton is attacked by a dog outside The Bull.
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425:(Gwen Berryman) died peacefully in Glebe Cottage. Shula found Doris, and then made her way over to St Stephen's to tell her Aunt
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Before assuming the role of Shula, Judy Bennett was forging a career playing children in some of
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Shula's began dating the local vet, Alistair Lloyd. All was well until her son Daniel developed
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766:"Shula Archer marries Mark Hebden (Sep 1985) – Archers weddings – The Archers – BBC Radio 4"
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878:"The Archers spoilers: Alistair Lloyd's secret exposed as fans turn on Shula Hebden Lloyd"
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successful riding career she wanted, and decided to backpack across Europe. The official
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Following her divorce, Shula decides to retrain as a vicar. Canon James Mustard of
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910:"Half a century as Shula: Judy Bennett looks back at her time in The Archers"
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since 1971. Bennett played the role for over 50 years, making her one of the
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367:
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returns to gambling, although admitting it was "a few quid" on the horses.
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A devout Christian with a heavy involvement in the Ambridge church and its
408:. But she returned to Ambridge after her passport and money were stolen.
38:
405:
502:
On 23 September 2022, the BBC confirmed Bennett had decided to leave
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732:"When the time came to kll off Doris Archer, she didn't go quietly"
820:"BBC Radio 4 – The Archers – Shula and Alistair: Is it all over?"
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981:
793:"BBC – The Archers Blog: Six diamond decades – the 1990s"
706:"BBC – The Archers Blog: Six diamond decades – the 1980s"
677:"BBC - The Archers Blog: Six diamond decades – the 1970s"
307:. The character was introduced as the eldest daughter of
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For The Love of The Archers: An Unofficial Companion
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561:"How We Met: Charles Collingwood and Judy Bennett"
850:"The Revd Shula Hebden Lloyd? We have our doubts"
596:"BBC Radio 4 – The Archers – Shula Hebden Lloyd"
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902:
900:
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325:longest-serving soap opera actors in the world
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628:Brian and Me: Life on – and off – The Archers
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8:
452:), who Shula urged to report to the police.
297:) is a fictional character from the British
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353:, who plays Brian Aldridge, since 1975.
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20:
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315:in 1958. Shula has been portrayed by
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1162:Radio characters introduced in 1958
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14:
730:Berryman, Gwen (30 August 1996).
876:O'Connor, Rory (9 August 2018).
569:. 7 January 1996. Archived from
37:
534:"Profiles – Shula Hebden Lloyd"
374:Marriage to Charles Collingwood
1:
848:Brown, Kat (4 October 2019).
626:Collingwood, Charles (2010).
468:Alistair's gambling addiction
1178:
1157:Female characters in radio
936:"The Archers – 05/12/2023"
456:Marriage to Alistair Lloyd
412:Engagement to Mark Hebden
117:
86:1 February 2024
36:
28:
1152:Fictional British people
961:"The Archers 01/02/2024"
122:In-universe information
71:8 August 1958
1147:The Archers characters
654:Miller, Beth (2006).
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68:First appearance
43:Judy Bennett as Shula
357:Creation and casting
83:Last appearance
18:Soap opera character
916:. 23 September 2022
746:on 11 November 2011
351:Charles Collingwood
200:Daniel Hebden Lloyd
175:Elizabeth Pargetter
1076:Shula Hebden-Lloyd
630:. Michael O'Mara.
475:Gamblers Anonymous
462:juvenile arthritis
291:Shula Hebden Lloyd
24:Shula Hebden Lloyd
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1061:Christine Barford
1031:Jennifer Aldridge
427:Christine Barford
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252:Freddie Pargetter
229:Christine Barford
49:Portrayed by
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362:Characterisation
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108:Created by
102:Former; regular
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165:Kenton Archer
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132:Trainee vicar
130:Stables owner
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1036:Grace Archer
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968:. Retrieved
955:
943:. Retrieved
930:
920:23 September
918:. Retrieved
885:. Retrieved
881:
871:
861:24 September
859:. Retrieved
855:Church Times
853:
824:. Retrieved
797:. Retrieved
770:. Retrieved
760:
748:. Retrieved
744:the original
710:. Retrieved
681:. Retrieved
658:. BBC Books.
655:
627:
600:. Retrieved
575:. Retrieved
571:the original
564:
538:. Retrieved
528:
503:
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488:
484:
471:
459:
450:Tamsin Greig
446:
443:Mark's death
423:Doris Archer
415:
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346:
342:
340:
329:
321:Judy Bennett
317:Liverpudlian
302:
294:
290:
289:
219:Doris Archer
215:Grandmothers
205:Grandfathers
161:David Archer
53:Judy Bennett
29:
15:
1121:Borsetshire
1081:Mike Tucker
1066:Neil Carter
1056:Ruth Archer
1051:Phil Archer
1041:Jill Archer
1014:The Archers
509:Jeremy Howe
504:The Archers
481:Later years
419:Phil Archer
388:Early years
383:Development
338:treatment.
313:Jill Archer
309:Phil Archer
304:The Archers
301:soap opera
299:BBC Radio 4
242:Josh Archer
192:(1998–2019)
187:(1985–1994)
185:Mark Hebden
151:Jill Archer
141:Phil Archer
55:(1971–2024)
30:The Archers
1141:Categories
1116:Borchester
1046:Pat Archer
1023:Characters
965:BBC Online
945:7 December
940:BBC Online
914:BBC Online
887:20 January
826:20 January
799:20 January
772:20 January
750:20 January
712:20 January
683:20 January
602:20 January
520:References
477:meetings.
268:Pip Archer
247:Ben Archer
209:Dan Archer
127:Occupation
90:2024-02-01
75:1958-08-08
1126:Inkberrow
740:0307-1235
577:6 January
498:Departure
368:BBC Radio
63:1958–2024
32:character
1095:See also
970:12 March
349:co-star
319:actress
157:Brothers
60:Duration
406:Bangkok
398:Archers
347:Archers
343:Archers
235:Nephews
181:Husband
171:Sisters
88: (
73: (
738:
634:
432:hippie
295:Archer
293:(also
261:Nieces
147:Mother
137:Father
822:. BBC
795:. BBC
768:. BBC
708:. BBC
679:. BBC
598:. BBC
540:6 May
536:. BBC
225:Aunts
972:2024
947:2023
922:2022
889:2019
863:2022
828:2019
801:2019
774:2019
752:2019
736:ISSN
714:2019
685:2019
632:ISBN
604:2019
579:2013
542:2022
341:The
311:and
197:Sons
395:The
336:IVF
1143::
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
