October 13th 2023.
Helen's worst nightmare has become a reality: Rob Titchener is back and as menacing as ever. It's been seven years since the controversial storyline that saw sinister Rob torment his wife Helen with physical, mental, and sexual abuse. The situation reached a shocking climax when Helen defended herself from a violent attack by stabbing her husband.
This was the culmination of a two year ordeal, with many listeners initially assuming Rob was dead. However, he survived, and it triggered further pain for Helen when she was charged and stood trial for attempted murder in The Archers' first ever hour-long special. After being vindicated, Helen has since had to bravely emerge from Rob's sinister shadow.
In the last few weeks, Helen has been forced to confront her past as Rob makes his return to Ambridge. He hasn't changed one bit; he's still the master manipulator and abuser, and his gaslighting behaviour is making both Helen and Alan question the facts they thought they had in front of them. Even listeners are questioning things, as Rob is terminally ill, though many are not taking his word at face value.
This plotline has caused dread among some fans, with one saying, ‘Stopping listening. I tune in to escape.’ However, the majority are once again gripped by the story as Rob gradually regains his power. This is reminiscent of when the storyline first came to a climax in 2016, when it became a national talking point and brought The Archers into the spotlight for many who had never listened before. It even raised £100,000 for the charity Refuge.
Rob has quickly infiltrated village life, approaching 12-year-old Henry at the county fair in a bid to pursue access to Jack, and meeting with Alan to demand a baptism ahead of his health deteriorating due to the inoperable tumour. It is clear that the story of Rob’s return still has a way to go, but it is proving a tough one and will undoubtedly have the dramatic peaks listeners have come to expect.
You can find information and anonymous support on domestic abuse via the charity Refuge. To keep up to date with all the goings on in Ambridge, you can tune in to Radio 4 - the full schedule is available on the BBC website.
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