大象传媒

Breezing into Ambridge in 1975, wealthy young farmer Brian snapped up Home Farm and in 1976 married (neé Archer), becoming step-dad to and . Daughter arrived a year later, followed by in 1988.

Brian’s marriage to Jenny has endured despite being severely tested, mainly by Brian himself. He will always be profoundly grateful to her for taking in Ruairi, his son from his affair with Siobhan Hathaway, and for not cutting off his supply of clean cravats and venison casseroles.

While working together, Brian clashed horns with Adam on . Since Adam's departure from Home Farm, Stella Pryor has been hired as manager of Home Farm. While their working relationship is steadier than Brian and Adam's, it isn't always plain sailing between Brian and Stella.

After 40 years of life at Home Farm, Brian had to cope with the financial fallout from the that leaked from his land. It's a big regret for Brian who more than ever wants to

• Likes: Single malt whisky, land deals
• Dislikes: Airy-fairy eco-nonsense, Hilda the cat
• Highs: Jennifer forgiving him
• Lows: Taking Alice to rehab, his near-fatal farm accident

• (granddaughter) - Having studied PPE at Oxford, Phoebe is the pride of the Aldridge family
• Tony Archer (Brother in Law and ethical opposite) - Tony and Pat's attitude to farming is poles apart from Brian's
• David Archer (Occasional confidante) - An unwilling shoulder during the Siobhan unpleasantness
• - Has gradually become more comfortable with Adam's husband
• Matt Crawford - Matt will never forgive Brian for replacing him at the helm of Borchester Land
• Lynda Snell (Foe) - Plenty of protection of the countryside issues between the two over the years
• - business frenemies and brother-in-law

Only thing in common 鈥� educated at Sherbourne! Would not be a man I would warm to, as I鈥檇 have little in common. I鈥檇 love his wealth though, but not his wife!!!

Charles was born in Canada, educated at Sherborne School and trained at RADA. His early years were spent in repertory and he also toured the far east in Relatively Speaking.

Nearer London, he played opposite Penelope Keith in How The Other Half Loves at Greenwich, and for over a year starred in Tom Stoppard鈥檚 Dirty Linen. But most of the last 25 years have been spent in broadcasting.

Charles鈥檚 TV credits include White Teeth, Midsomer Murders, Bob Martin, London鈥檚 Burning and Inspector Morse. Charles even co-hosted a game show with Bernard Manning and was seen as the eccentric scorer on Noel Edmund鈥檚 Telly Addicts.

On radio, Charles recorded many comedy series with Harry Worth, Richard Stilgoe and the much missed Roy Castle.

He met his wife Judy Bennett (Shula) recording voices for a TV puppet series. Romance blossomed and in 1975 Charles was invited to join Judy in The Archers by creating the part of a wealthy gentleman farmer, Brian Aldridge 鈥� the 鈥淛R of Ambridge鈥�.

Charles spent four years as a continuity news reader for the 大象传媒 World Service, but pronunciation let him down.

He has guested on many shows including Celebrity Weakest Link (which he won!), Call My Bluff, Countdown, Fifteen to One, and Good Morning With Anne and Nick. And for Radio 4, Just a Minute, Quote Unquote and That Reminds Me.

In 2003 Charles was honoured to be the subject of This Is Your Life. He continues to entertain audiences with his one man show Playing Away.

So many great storylines. The affair with Caroline, knocked over by a BSE ridden cow, epilepsy, Kate missing, Adam returning and stories with Debbie, but mostly Siobhan. How lucky 鈥� their entire affair and its ramifications and then her tragic early death. Meat and drink for an actor!

Diversification! Games shows, panel games, Cocklebury-Smythe in Dirty Linen, over 150 Laughter and Intrigue shows with Judy. Now my one-man show Playing Away and biography Brian and Me, just to prove I could write!

• Actor - Judi Dench
• Book - Brian and Me
• Film - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo