Mike Tucker | |||||||||||||
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The Archers character | |||||||||||||
Portrayed by |
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Duration | 1973–1977, 1983–2014, 2021–2022 | ||||||||||||
First appearance | 1973 | ||||||||||||
Last appearance | 13 January 2022 | ||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||
Created by | Tony Shryane | ||||||||||||
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Mike Tucker is a fictional character from the British BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers. Described upon his introduction in 1973 as "the Milkman from Hell", Mike has developed over five decades to become a family man whose grumpy demeanour and gruff attitude won favour with listeners. Radio and television actor Terry Molloy was cast in 1973 by producer Tony Shryane[1] and stayed for four years until leaving the show in 1977, only to return in 1983. He has remained on the show for 40 years, making Molloy one of the longest-serving soap opera actors in the world.
Mike is the husband of Vicky Tucker, and the father of Roy, Brenda and Bethany Tucker. He is also a close friend to Neil Carter and Ed Grundy. Since 1973, Mike has suffered bankruptcy, depression, attempted suicide, the loss of an eye, the loss of his first wife and being knocked down by a car.[2]
Molloy says his character is a "relentlessly honest son of the soil" who "tolerates fools with no gladness whatsoever".[2]