The Guardian: Judi Dench Joins The Archers Cast in Calling for the Show to Stay in Birmingham

A letter from Ambridge

Dame Judi Dench has joined more than 100 current and former members of The Archers in urging the BBC to keep recording the Radio 4 drama in Birmingham, The Guardian reported on Friday. Their letter is addressed to the director general, Matt Brittin.

Why it is news

The BBC has dropped plans for a bespoke drama studio at the Tea Factory in Digbeth as part of its £500m savings drive, putting 75 years of Birmingham recording in doubt. Dench's own link is a 1989 cameo as Pru Forrest, though a famous signature tends to carry a letter further.

What is settled

The BBC says no decision has been reached and that studios in the West Midlands and elsewhere in the UK are being assessed. Where the cast will record has not been confirmed.