In 2017, she returned to the city to accept an honorary degree from the university
Patricia Greene, who played Jill Archer in The Archers, received an honorary degree from the University of Derby in 2017(Image: University of Derby)
Derby-born Patricia Greene, the longest continuously serving actor in BBC Radio 4 soap The Archers for almost 70 years, has died aged 95.
The star, whose death was announced on Friday, played Jill Archer, a mother who was known for her lemon drizzle cake, in the long-running radio show from 1957 until her death.
Ms Greene was born in Allenton in 1931, and dreamed of becoming an actor at an early age. She spent much of her early life in Chester Green. and attended Parkfield Cedars Grammar School.
After working as a ward orderly at the Derbyshire Children’s Hospital and in the sheet metal factory of Hawk Industries, she went to the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London in 1951.
Ms Greene joined The Archers this week in 1957 as Jill Patterson. She also appeared in Casualty and Doctors – both in 2000.
In 2017, Ms Greene attended the annual University of Derby graduation ceremony at Derby Arena to receive an honorary degree for her services to the arts over the years.
Patricia Greene as Jill Archer in 1991
(Image: Submitted)
Accepting the degree, Ms Greene said: “I do feel quite overwhelmed. It is a great honour. I wasn’t the brightest pupil in the world as I failed Latin twice.
“I am truly grateful and I shall remember this day until the end really. As regards people knowing my voice more than my face, I think that is such a comfort.
“You see, on the radio it doesn’t matter what you wear, you don’t have to have Botox, nothing matters it’s just the voice.”
Following the announcement of her death, Jeremy Howe, editor of The Archers, said: “Paddy was utterly singular, a fabulous and raucously funny raconteur, and like the best actors when on mic you were never quite sure how she would play a scene, but you knew she would play it brilliantly.
“Her portrayal of Jill Archer was formidable, but also wonderfully warm and loving, and enormous fun – Paddy could find a laugh in a simple ‘but’.
“It was an incredible privilege to work with her and she will be greatly missed by all of us within the production team, as well as by millions of Archers listeners.”
Members of The Archers cast gather to celebrate the 10,000th edition in 1989. Left to right: Tom Forrest (played by Bob Arnold), Jill Archer (Patricia Greene), Peggy Archer (June Spencer ), Phil Archer (Norman Painting) and seated Walter Gabriel (Chriss Gittins).(Image: Submitted)
Greene’s character was orphaned and brought up by her aunt, and came to Ambridge, where the soap is set.
There she caught the eye of the recently widowed Phil Archer, played by Norman Painting, who proposed to her. At first, she refused, but in 1957, the couple married.
The fictional couple had four children, twins Kenton and Shula, David, and Elizabeth. Jill also acted as a member of the parish council and as a driving force in the women’s institute on the show.
Greene was reportedly moved to a care home in 2023, but continued to record The Archers.
Mohit Bakaya, controller of Radio 4, said: “Paddy’s contribution to The Archers over almost 70 years has been outstanding.
“She has been a constant companion in Radio 4 listeners’ lives, and it has been a pleasure to hear her ever-evolving portrayal of Jill Archer over the decades. She leaves a wonderful legacy.
“Ambridge will not be the same without her, and all of us here at Radio 4 send our love and condolences to her family at this difficult time.”
The Archers has aired on BBC radio since 1951 and has clocked up more than 20,000 episodes – more than any other continuous drama serial in the world.
It reaches millions of devoted fans who tune in to hear the ups and downs experienced by the residents of the fictional village of Ambridge.
Pressing topical issues such as climate change, the economic challenges faced by farmers, alcoholism, modern slavery, domestic abuse and coercive control have all been tackled by the show.