Throughout its 65-year history, The Archers has never shied away from dramatising difficult - and sometimes painful - issues. From infidelity to dementia, flooding to depression - across the decades the villagers have experienced challenges that many people have faced in the real world.
The Helen and Rob storyline has been captivating listeners since Rob first arrived in the village.
Over a year ago I wrote about the comings and goings in Ambridge in 2014, and listeners were already intrigued, and conflicted by Rob's character - was he the tall, dark, brooding man of romantic fiction? Or were his traditional values and un-reconstructed attitudes indicative of something more sinister? I was amazed back then by the extraordinary response from the audience to Rob's seemingly casual comments to Helen - about her hair and her cooking – and how only The Archers audience could be so sensitive to nuance, the slightest change in timbre of Rob's perfectly modulated Received Pronunciation. But this was, as has now become abundantly clear, only the start of the story: the tip of the iceberg.
For some months now, listeners have heard Helen and Rob's relationship develop into an abusive one. Through our research we learned that it can take a long time for domestic abuse to come to light - even to victims of domestic abuse themselves - and we have reflected this in the way we are telling Helen's story. One of the great benefits of The Archers format is that we have been able to chart this story in real time, week after painful week, as the reality of Rob's abuse of Helen has become clear to the audience.
Since the inception of this story two and a half years ago, The Archers team has worked closely with women's charities and various expert advisors, trying to reflect the story as accurately as we possibly can.
Both Women’s Aid and Refuge have shared their expertise and advice with us, helping The Archers production team develop a realistic understanding of the issues involved. They have generously shared many women's stories with our researchers and writers, and have also arranged for Louiza Patikas, who plays Helen, to meet women who have suffered in the way Helen has.
Working with them has allowed us to dramatise the issue of domestic abuse and coercive control, shedding light on an often neglected area of women's lives and raising awareness about an extraordinarily sensitive and painful subject.
And as the story continues to develop on air, it’s been deeply humbling to hear that our portrayal of a dark corner of Ambridge life has touched so many people in the real world.
If you are suffering domestic abuse or violence, a list of organisations that can provide help and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or call the BBC Action Line to hear recorded information on 0800 888 809.
Lines are open 24 hours a day and are free from landlines and mobiles.
