Colin Skipp (8 August 1939 – 19 November 2019)[1] was a British actor, best known for playing Tony Archer in the BBC radio series The Archers for 46 years.[2]

Skipp won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and studied alongside actor Charles Collingwood, who plays Brian Aldridge in The Archers.[3]

Skipp had played the character of Tony Archer for 46 years (1967–2013), on the date of his retirement, making him the seventh longest continuously serving radio soap actor.[4] He decided to retire after having several heart attacks and major heart surgery.[3] The role was taken over in January 2014 by the actor David Troughton.[3]

In 2004, he directed the stage play The Sound of Julie at the Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton, a dramatisation of the life of actress Julie Andrews. Skipp's daughter, Nova, was in the title role.[5]

On 21 November 2019, the BBC's social media accounts for The Archers announced that Skipp had died. He was 80 years old.[3][6] His former co-star Pat Gallimore, who plays Tony's wife Pat, called him "a good friend and generous colleague", and said "Colin was a very fine actor who brought truth and integrity to the role of Tony."[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Colin Skipp, actor who played the organic farmer Tony in 'The Archers' for nearly half a century – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  2. ↑ Copping, Jasper (2 January 2014). "All change in Ambridge as 'Tony Archer' retires". The Daily Telegraph.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Colin Skipp: Former The Archers actor, who played Tony Archer, dies". BBC News. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  4. ↑ "As Colin Skipp retires, we welcome the actor stepping into Tony's wellies". BBC. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Gareth Foreman (10 June 2004). "In the footsteps of Mary Poppins". This is Local London.
  6. ↑ @BBCTheArchers (21 November 2019). "We are sad to learn of the death of our friend Colin Skipp, who played Tony Archer for over forty years from 1967-2013. He will be greatly missed" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 November 2019 – via Twitter.


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