With Justin Elliott now officially betrothed to an Ambridge resident - and a particularly special one at that - the much-loved, Archer-born, good-time-girl Lilian Bellamy, the time has come to shine the spotlight on Simon Williams who plays the businessman.
After all, Peggy has given Justin a grilling, now it's Simon's turn to be questioned...
Q. What were your first impressions of Justin?
My first thought about Justin Elliott was that it was ironic that at the beginning of my fifty years as an actor I played a similar character, Captain James Bellamy in Upstairs Downstairs - he too was privileged and seemed unsympathetic at first.
At the outset I doubted Justin’s motives - I feared he was just a greedy capitalist out to exploit Ambridge and line his pockets - he had plans regarding the Route B road that weren’t in anyone’s interest but his own.
Q. When Justin first arrived in Ambridge did you have any idea that he and Lilian would become engaged? Did you have any predictions for him?
Joining The Archers team is a magical mystery tour (not unlike real life), you never know what’s round the corner or what path you and your character are going to take. You climb aboard and wait to see which way the writers will take you.
I had no idea as Justin arrived in Ambridge that he was going to rent the Dower House and fall in love with its gorgeous owner, Lilian Bellamy. Lucky Justin, lucky me.
Q. Now you’ve got to know Justin more, what do you think of him?
As with James Bellamy I’ve grown to like Justin, he is a much kinder more human man than I first thought. I think that Lilian has helped him find a sweeter side to his nature. Life with Miranda had hardened his attitude to people and money. Lilian’s been a good influence on him, his ruthlessness and his bad manners.
Q. Does Justin really love Lilian? Has he made the right decision in choosing her over Miranda?
Difficult to say if Justin was right to leave his wife Miranda, she seems to have so few redeeming qualities, but he found in Lilian a soulmate. She’s funny and clever - sexy too - and their relationship seems to have all the hallmarks of real love…..but you never know, do you?
Q. What is it like playing a married couple (Justin and Miranda) alongside your real-life wife Lucy Fleming? Have you ever been in this situation before?
My real-life wife, Lucy Fleming, could not be more different to Justin’s frightful partner, Miranda and she has loved creating the bitchiness of her. I hope though that people will have some sympathy for Miranda (perhaps she is really insecure or had a miserable childhood) - she surely must have a vulnerable side.
I love working with Lucy, she has a wonderful eye for the truth. We’ve played together many times and she always has a gentle way of keeping my acting on track and stops me messing about.
Q. What has been your favourite scene to play so far as Justin?
I’ve had so many lovely scenes to play as Justin. The writers seem to have really got the measure of him (maybe of me too!). I loved being in the Ambridge Christmas pantomime, Mother Goose, with Kenton playing the hilarious Dame.
On a more serious note it was wonderful to have the scenes with Peggy trying to persuade her that my intentions with Lilian are honourable. I am such a fan of June Spencer - she is simply impeccable.
The physical side of Lilian and Justin’s relationship has gained a lot of attention, particularly the scene in which Jennifer walked in on them! Are there any secrets to conveying passion on radio?!
The raunchy scenes with Lilian are nowhere near as steamy as they may sound - Sunny and I are always laughing. I loved the scene when Jennifer caught us in flagrante - the sound effects man had to stand beside me and do the sound of my trousers going on and my zip being fastened.
Playing love scenes on the radio is tricky because both of you have to face the microphone, so there is not a lot of eye contact and of course you have to keep turning the pages of the script amidst all the heavy breathing.
Has Justin met his match in Matt Crawford?
Both Justin and I were horrified that Matt has returned to Ambridge - that "Hello, Pusscat" sent a chill down our spine. I do so hope he is not going to steal Lilian from under my nose. I’m worried though she has a penchant for rogues like him and I fear there may be unfinished business between the two of them, in more ways than one.
Knowing how the writers like a juicy love triangle I’m sure it’s a situation that can only get worse for the three of us. I suspect there’ll be some meaty scenes to play with poor Lilian torn in two - may the best man win!
What fantasy storyline would you suggest for The Archers?
All of us in The Archers dread being written out of the show, it is the happiest job you can imagine and we all love doing it. But if my (or rather Justin’s) time was up, I’d like to see him revert to being a total bastard so that when he was discovered murdered there would be a terrific Ambridge whodunnit…… Please not yet though.
After running out on Justin's proposal, a few weeks later Lilian pops the question.
