5m hear jury of stars clear Archers’ Helen
THE Archers’ Helen Titchener was sensationally cleared last night of attacking her abusive husband Rob.
Millions of listeners were glued to their radios as Helen, played by Louiza Patikas, was found not guilty of attempted murder and wounding with intent.
Jury members agonised and argued over their verdict for the majority of the hour-long special episode on Radio 4.
The storyline had five million listeners tuning in daily to find out the outcome of the domestic violence case, which was being judged by a celebrity cast of jurors.
They included Dame Eileen Atkins, Nigel Havers and Catherine Tate while other jurors were played by Rakhee Thakrar, best known as Shabnam Masood in EastEnders, Skins star Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Tam Williams, who played Havers’s role in the stage version of Chariots Of Fire.
Violence
Louiza, who has played the character for 16 years, said: “I feel relieved the secret’s out. Finally I can talk to friends and family about it and I’m really intrigued to see what the public makes of the verdict.”
She said she was now looking forward to “rebuilding Helen” but added it would “take her (Helen) some time to process the verdict and its implications”.
The actress met survivors of domestic violence through charities such as Women’s Aid and Refuge to prepare for the storyline which included the claim that Rob had repeatedly raped her during their marriage.
She added: “I hope that she’ll soon get back behind the wheel of her car and start some therapeutic cheesemaking when she feels up to it. In fact, therapy all round is probably needed.”
Last night’s show was the first of its kind in the programme’s 65-year history. It saw former Archers actor Graham Seed return five years after his character Nigel Pargetter was killed off to take on a role as a member of the jury at Helen’s trial.
Listeners heard every twist and turn of the jury’s debate. One of the 12 members was dismissed for contempt of court earlier in the show, leaving only 11, of which eight were heard speaking during last night’s episode.
At one point it appeared that Helen would be found guilty as six of the jury appeared to be against her.
Nigel Havers’s character, Carl, who was the foreman of the jury, could be heard making controversial remarks during the programme.
He said: “These women are all the same. Look, OK, OK, even if you don’t think she meant to kill him she’s still guilty of wounding with intent. Come on, they can’t have it both ways. They can’t demand to be treated equally and then still play the victim. Helen Titchener brought this on herself. She needs to be punished.”
But jurors were unconvinced and Helen was freed. She will next face a family court hearing set for later this week where the custody of the couple’s children Henry and Jack will be decided.
Helen fears her life will still be overshadowed by Rob, played by Timothy Watson, who has psychologically bullied her. He warned: “You haven’t got rid of me and you never will.”
She retorted: “The whole knows who you are now.” world Foreman of the jury Nigel Havers Star jury member Catherine Tate