Patricia Greene, Britain's longest-running soap star, has died at the age of 94. The actress portrayed Jill Archer on BBC Radio 4's The Archers from 1957 until her death, making her the longest-serving soap actor in the UK. Her death was announced at the end of the BBC's Today programme, which stated: "Patricia Greene, who played Jill Archer in The Archers since 1956, has died."
Pay Disparity Revealed
Despite her record-breaking career, Greene previously disclosed that her salary was not commensurate with her tenure. In a 2017 interview with The Times, she revealed she earned only £16,000 for her role that year. She was matter-of-fact about the modest sum, telling the publication: "That's what we get. We don't talk money much, we talk content." However, she expressed shock upon learning the salaries of some of the BBC's highest-paid male stars, highlighting a significant gender pay gap.
In a 2025 interview, Greene discovered that Chris Evans was paid over £2 million annually while working at the BBC. She gasped: "It's obscene. You don't earn that kind of money sitting at a microphone, do you? You can't, it's just ridiculous." While not personally seeking a pay rise, she noted it would be beneficial if some of that funding were allocated to The Archers' budget. She explained: "It always makes me laugh that we can only now have six characters per episode because of money, sometimes five, sometimes seven. And sometimes we have to do sound effects that we would have gone and got off a gramophone record or tape but now we have to do it ourselves, it's ridiculous."
Career and Legacy
Greene joined the cast of The Archers in 1957, when the show was already attracting up to nine million listeners. Initially unsure of securing a permanent role, she recalled: "Because I only had one line, I had a drink at lunchtime. The line was, 'Doesn't she look lovely?' but it came out 'Dubbent debook bubbly?' So they kept me there for an hour, repeating it. Since then, I've never had a drink and then worked." Her dedication earned her the nickname "the nation's grandmother" from loyal listeners.
Greene moved into an assisted living facility in August 2023 but continued to record for the programme until her death. The Archers editor Jeremy Howe led tributes, telling Digital Spy: "Paddy was utterly singular, a fabulous and raucously funny raconteur. Like the best actors when on mic you were never quite sure how she would play a scene, but you knew she would play it brilliantly." He added: "Her portrayal of Jill was formidable, but also wonderfully warm, loving and enormous fun. It was an incredible privilege to work with her."
