Fans of The Archers will know that the actor who has played Joe Grundy in The Archers for 34 years sadly passed away earlier this year.
Edward Kelsey, known as Ted, died on 23 April at the age of 88.
But while his family and friends have bid him farewell in real life, The Archers scriptwriters are yet to reveal how Kelseys character Joe Grundy will be written out of the soap.
Without Edward there to record the scenes, the script writers face the dilemma of how to write an ending for this much-loved character that does him justice.
Joe Grundys finale must hold enough weight to recognise his long presence in the soap, played by Haydn Jones until Kelsey took over in 1985. He cannot simply be faded out; his last episodes must act both as mark of respect and tribute.
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There was always the possibility that the script writers would decide not to kill off Joe Grundy and instead find a new actor to play out the last years of Joes life.
But in a tribute paid to Kelsey after his death, The Archers editor Jeremy Howe confirmed continuing Joes story with another actor is off the table.
When Jeremy Howe took over as editor of The Archers last year, he said the first thing Kelsey said to him was that he wanted Joe Grundy (then 97) to get his telegram from the Queen on his 100th birthday.
When Kelsey died, Howe said: Joe Grundys 98th birthday is in September this year. I am heartbroken that Joe will never now get that telegram.
So, how will the Archers scriptwriters choose to end Joe Grundys life?
Joe has been living at Grange Farm with son Eddie and daughter-in-law Clarrie, but the three are set to move over to Wills cottage, No.1 The Green.
Eddie and Clarrie would no longer be able to afford the rent on Grange Farm when Emma and Ed moved out to their new Beechwood home.
Even though Emma and Eds home fell through, they did not return to live at Grange Farm – partly because Ed ended the marriage and partly because they had already given Oliver their notice on Grange Farm and Will had moved Hannah, Johnny and Tom (and Natasha) out of No.1 The Green.
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The plan remained in place for Eddie, Clarrie and Joe to move out into the cottage, once Will had fixed the flooded floor.
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Clarrie and Eddie are worried that Joe will not deal well with the move from Grange Farm – he always said it would break his heart to have to leave Grange Farm again, after he suffered a breakdown the first time they lost Grange Farm.
Emma has been feeling guilty that she and Ed are the cause of the move and is worried and upset that she might contribute to Joes distress.
Will it be that the scriRead More – Source
