Irate Archers fans attack villain Rob in the street
EVER since he was exposed as an abusive husband in Radio 4’s longest-running soap The Archers, the infamous Rob Titchener has been vilified by millions.
Sadly, however, the domestic abuse storyline that has gripped the nation is now also wreaking havoc in real life for actor Timothy Watson, who plays Titchener in the BBC show.
I can disclose that the impact of the plot, which sees Ambridge’s resident baddie turn against his wife, Helen, has reached disturbing new heights as Watson is now being attacked in the street in front of his own children by angry fans.
‘The show is going from strength to strength, but Tim is going through a very hard time,’ his concerned co-star, Carole Boyd, tells me.
‘Tim is very upset — he’s beyond being comforted.’
The Berkshire- born actor, 53, already admitted he was hounded off social media last year after receiving torrents of abuse from online fans. But Carole, who plays hotel receptionist Lynda Snell, reveals their rage has gone too far.
‘He told me the other day he was out with his two children when he was accosted in the street by women shouting abuse,’ she says. ‘ Because his children were there, he is very upset about it. I think it’s awful. He is in a very dark place.’
Watson, who lives in Hampshire with his wife, Hollyoaks actress Helen Grace, 44, and their children — Mabel, 11, and five-year-old George — is said to be fiercely protective of his family.
But in an ironic twist, he has found the only person he can confide in about his real-life abuse is co- star Louiza Patikas, who plays his longsuffering victim, Helen Archer.
Carole adds: ‘The only person who is really able to help him is Louiza — they are close. Of course, it’s just acting, but being abused in the street is just horrible. He is such a gentle and serious man, he was really upset.
‘It’s gone too far — it is very silly to do that to a nice chap like Tim. After all, The Archers is only a soap.’
Sadly for Watson, the distinction between fact and fiction is not so clear for others.