ARCHERS WATCH: CHRISTMAS IN AMBRIDGE

Many an Ambridger sits down for Christmas dinner with a roast bird on the table – and the spectre of ruin lurking in the shadows. They have slapped down money they haven’t got to buy cars, land, love and freedom, but, at some point in 2017, the price will be paid.

Brian’s dreams of expansion put a chill in poor Jennifer’s heart. She’s put up with all kinds of nonsense from her cravat-wearing husband over the years in exchange for designer kitchens, fancy holidays and a place in the upper echelons of Borsetshire society – and now, she could end up down with the Grundys. Oh, the shame.

There’s a sense of relief over at Bridge Farm at having a Rob-free Christmas, but the legal bills have been high, and not everyone at the Christmas table is happy about his absence.

Pip, who has been shelling out a lot of dosh to keep Toby in the manner to which he is accustomed, sits down to a sparse meal at Rickyard Cottage, but a knock at the door – and the sight of an unwilling father with an olive branch clenched between gritted teeth – could put that right.

Lilian, looking resplendent in Justin’s money, sharpens her teeth for a slap-up Christmas dinner with all the trimmings at the Dower House. Sadly, she and her finery are swiftly shoved out into the cold when Miranda decides to bring the gift of herself to her semi-detached husband.

Kenton, however, roars round Ambridge in the new set of wheels he can’t afford, and goes way off script at the Christmas show, where he sows seeds of gossip that will be harvested in the New Year.

Meanwhile, the cavalier Dr Locke continues to flirt with the various Archer women that he has dallied with over the years, raising all kinds of hopes for 2017.