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The Archers: Adam and Ian’s Civil Partnership

Four Weddings and a Wake

Adam and Ian’s Civil Partnership

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, Adam and Ian’s Civil Partnership

We delve into The Archers’ archive to revisit the day of Adam and Ian’s civil partnership.

We delve into The Archers’ archive and it’s the day of Adam and Ian’s civil partnership. Will Brian Aldridge put his feelings aside and turn up for his step-son's big day?

Three weeks of themed programmes from the last two decades reliving key moments from the characters’ lives and the events that make Ambridge unforgettable.   This episode forms part of the first week looking at how four different couples tied the knot and how one much loved character left the series.

Ambridge has its first civil partnership when Adam and Ian hold their ceremony at Lower Loxley.
 
Of course, ragged nerves and family politics are customary at any wedding - and the union of Adam and Ian is no exception. By the time they make it down the aisle, Ian has already faced the painful ordeal of "coming out" to his father and brothers - something of a double-whammy for the Craig family, as the announcement was swiftly followed by news of his engagement to Adam.
 
Adam also has a potential family crisis to face on his big day, in the shape of stepfather Brian Aldridge.  Brian says his reservations about the relationship lie in concerns for the future of Home Farm - he is uncomfortable with the idea that his new son-in-law Ian might get his sullied chef's hands on part of his legacy.
 
But Jennifer suspects that her husband's real motives are based in homophobia and old-fashioned bigotry. After all, he's always showered stepdaughter Debbie with the love and affection of a natural father - so what's stopping him displaying a similar loyalty to Adam?
 
Despite Brian's reservations Adam and Jennifer were unprepared for the news that he wouldn't be attending the wedding, preferring instead to sulk alone in his expensive farmhouse.
 Attending, and therefore endorsing, the union will take an unprecedented volte-face from Brian. But refusing to go would surely drive a wedge between the Aldridge family members.

 
This programme was originally broadcast on Friday 14th December 2006

Kathy Perks ..... Hedli Niklaus
Kenton Archer ..... Richard Atlee
Jennifer Aldridge ..... Angela Piper
Kate Aldridge ..... Kellie Bright
Sid Perks ..... Alan Devereux
Charles Collingwood ..... Brian Aldridge
Glen ..... Gerard Murphy
Adam Macy ..... Andrew Wincott
Ian Craig ..... Stephen Kennedy
Debbie Aldridge ..... Tamsin Greig

Writer, Tim Stimpson
Director, Julie Beckett

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