Richard Locke
Many of you will know all about this blast from Shula Hebden Lloyd’s past. But for the uninitiated, we’ll shed some light on dishy Dr Richard Locke, and his relationship with Shula.
Actor William Gaminara has played Richard Locke since his first appearance in 1992.
Background:
New Year’s Eve 1997: Shula wore her low cut little black dress and at midnight Alistair kissed her.
February 1998:Alistair and Shula had to leave a romantic dinner to deal with a breech birth at Grange Farm. By the time he successfully delivered a healthy calf it was too late return to the restaurant. Clarrie invited them in for sandwiches and cocoa. Left alone, Alistair apologised for having to abandon their meal. Shula told him not to worry and she kissed him.
March: Shula had to cancel dates and change arrangements with Alistair because her son Daniel had become sickly. By Easter Daniel had deteriorated. Shula called Richard who took Daniel into hospital. She became angry when Alistair asked her to take a night off from the hospital. Later, Jill and Richard tried to persuade her to spend just one night at home. At first Shula said no but later she did leave and had supper with Richard at Blossom Hill Cottage. Daniel improved and was discharged.
June: Daniel was sick again. There was a lot of tension between Shula and Alistair because Shula was getting over protective towards Daniel and repeatedly mentioned how supportive Richard had been.
Later that month Richard called to see how Daniel was. He and Shula had a drink and a chat which ended in a kiss. Richard apologised for this. Shula told him there was no need.
Shula and Richard were not sure how they came to be so close. They wished to remain “just friends”.
July: Alistair took Shula out for a meal after which he stayed the night.
Richard told Usha Franks (then Gupta) that he wanted to move to Manchester. Usha didn’t want to give up everything she’d worked for. Then the penny dropped. Richard wanted to go alone, without Usha.
The next day a distraught Usha told Shula that Richard had left her and made up a bed at the surgery. Shula kept silent about her involvement.
Richard assured Shula that his decision wasn’t because of them. He shocked Shula when he told her that he was thinking seriously of moving to Manchester, but added that if he thought there was a chance of something developing between them he wouldn’t go. Shula left with nothing resolved.
Later, Shula told Richard that if he had to go he should go soon or it would be too late. However, that night they ended up in bed together and Richard told Shula he loved her.
Shula went to see Alistair and told him it was over between them: there was someone else but she didn’t say who. She then went to Richard and told him it was over between her and Alistair.
August: Richard told Usha that the other woman was Shula. Stunned, Usha turned to Ruth for support.
David let the cat out of the bag and told Alistair that the other man was Richard. Alistair was shocked and angry. Then Shula told Jill that there were two men in her life - Richard and Alistair.
Shula's 40th birthday party was very tense: Ruth could only just bring herself to talk to Shula. Jill was very disapproving and David felt stuck in the middle. Phil Archer was the only one who didn't know what was going on.
Alistair accused Richard of using his professional position to get vulnerable Shula into bed. Affronted, Richard refuted this completely. Alistair promised to take the matter further.
Richard phoned Manchester and said he was still interested in the job on offer.
When David said that he couldn’t even imagine living away from Ambridge, Shula was clearly affected. So when Richard arrived, full of enthusiasm for the move, Shula told him she couldn’t go. Richard was furious that Shula had led him on. She asked him to quieten down and not disturb Daniel. That was enough for Richard. He left. Shula sobbed and upstairs Daniel called for his Mummy.
Richard went to say goodbye to Usha before leaving for Manchester. Usha wasn’t interested in easing his conscience. He tried to arrange to move his furniture but Usha told him she had already given it away to a charity shop.
October: at a meeting about the cricket club Susan spoke her mind: "We all know why Dr. Locke left Ambridge and it’s got nothing to do with cricket."
Deeply embarrassed, Shula rushed out of the hall. Alistair went to comfort her. He admitted that he didn’t realise that the whole village knew about her and Richard. He told Shula that it didn’t matter what other people said. They had each other and he loved her…
6th April 2015: Jennifer spots Richard at St Stephens, where Shula has just performed in the Messiah concert. "Shula, you must remember who it is." "Yes, of course I do. Richard, hi"....
Andrew Smith is an Archers Assistant Producer
