Patricia Greene, the much-loved star of The Archers, has died at the age of 95. The actor, known affectionately as Paddy, was the longest-serving cast member on the radio soap opera, having made her debut as Jill Archer in 1957.
In a statement, BBC Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya praised Greene's "outstanding" contribution to the soap over the past 70 years, noting that she had been a "constant companion" in the lives of BBC Radio 4 listeners.
"It has been a pleasure to hear her ever-evolving portrayal of Jill over the decades. She leaves a wonderful legacy. Ambridge will not be the same without her, and all of us here at BBC Radio 4 send our love and condolences to her family at this difficult time," they said.
Related: BBC's longest-running soap to go on tour as it celebrates milestone anniversary
Jeremy Howe, editor of The Archers, added: "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 was formidable, but also wonderfully warm, loving and enormous fun," they noted. "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."
What to Read Next
With her debut on the BBC Radio 4 series coming almost 70 years ago, Greene's stint as the beloved Jill is a world record, with the actor being the longest serving actor in a soap opera in any medium.
In addition to her role in The Archers, Greene had various roles on ITV soap Crossroads in the 1960s, while she had small parts in medical dramas such as Doctors and Casualty in the early noughties.
Related: Emmerdale and The Archers star Eric Allan dies, aged 85
Fans of the long-running radio soap were devastated by the news as the paid tribute to the late actor, with one listener penning on X: "Been a regular listener to the Archers for nearly 50 years. RIP Patricia Greene. Can’t be many actors in the same role since 1957."
Others referenced a long-running in-joke from the soap in their tributes, with one fan writing: "What a sad, sad day. Patricia Greene (Jill Archer) has died. We shall have a lemon drizzle cake, or flapjacks for tea."
The Archers airs on BBC Radio 4.
