Joanna Van Kampen on Fallon Rogers

On the eve of Fallon's 30th birthday, actor Joanna Van Kampen shares a few thoughts about her time in Ambridge....

Jo, what are your first memories of working in Ambridge?

I remember being really nervous and not daring to go into the green room until a few minutes before the read-through started. I used to be quite shy. Buffy Davis took me under her wing straight away. She came round to my flat in Chiswick and told me all about the job. She’s always been amazing - my first scene was with her.

I remember thinking I won’t be around in Ambridge very long. But now, 15 years later, I’m so happy to still be here. I remember celebrating in the Park with my boyfriend and a bottle of champagne!

How has Fallon changed over the years?

I remember starting out she was this narky teenager, and I was told she’ll probably get pregnant or into trouble soon. From being rebellious and difficult I think the character has changed and matured into someone different. 

Are you and Fallon very different?

When you play a character for so long, you do bring a lot of yourself into it. We’re quite similar in temperament. But I really don’t have a business head at all. I’m better at being told what to do! She’s very creative and makes things happen – I’m learning to be more like that.

I sort of based Fallon on a friend of mine - a fiery, staunchly Welsh girl called Malley. She’s really bolshy, but also playful and fun. She’s also emotionally intelligent and quite sensitive.

Can you recall any particularly controversial or challenging storylines?

I guess Fallon taking ecstacy was quite controversial. I also had some emotional scenes when Sid died. For me just playing the everyday is more challenging, though. Perhaps Fallon needs a bit more controversy.

Which characters and storylines are you grabbed by at the moment?

The storyline between Rob and Helen is so subtle. I also loved the build up to the flood – little clues, things that were going wrong. And now the fall out, with the blocked culvert.

Jennifer and Susan are brilliant and so funny. They’re both snobs in their different ways, such rich comic characters. Joe Grundy as well – the way he mutters is so cleverly done.

Can you tell us a bit more about your own life and passions?

Music and singing are a big part of my life. My dad, who died when I was 20, was a cellist and my mum is a violinist. It’s something I’ve always been around. Music has always been a part of Fallon, as it comes from Jolene. Maybe Fallon’s business could become a performance venue – I’d like to see her take to the mic herself.

I have two children. They used to complain but have recently got really into The Archers. They ask things like “why is Rob like that?” They sing happily along to the theme tune. Now that they’re such fans, we listen together in the evenings. I’m very into it.

Can you tell us about some of your more unusual experiences on The Archers?

Recording at Glastonbury in 2003 was pretty unusual – being interviewed by John Peel was amazing. I remember for one hungover scene I didn’t have to get out of my tent. I woke up a bit worse for wear myself to the site of Julie (Beckett, producer) sticking a microphone in to record with. Recording with Bradley Wiggins was another highlight. Most recently, I really enjoyed Blithe Spirit for Radio 4. It was a real treat, getting to work with Julian Rhind-Tutt, and also watching Eleanor Bron and Michael Cochrane being so brilliantly comic. We were encouraged to not try to be our Archers characters playing Noel Coward's characters, so I enjoyed doing the character work on Elvira.

Would you like to share any funny/ embarrassing moments from recording or ‘backstage’?

When Fallon and Harry the milkman had their first kiss, as actors we hadn’t discussed it. Michael (Shelford (aka Harry)) seemed a bit odd in the studio - he wasn’t looking at me. It came to the kiss and I went in. He didn’t offer his face and I ended up snogging his cheek. When we came out of the studio, it turned out that he’d been ill and had spent the whole recording desperately trying not to be sick.

There are lots of conversations and tomfoolery from the green room that I could tell you about, but it’s probably too rude. All I’d better say is that Paddy Greene (Jill Archer) is very good value!

How would you like to celebrate your next birthday?

I have this fantasy of going to a top jazz club, like Ronnie Scotts, and having a little table with a lamp.

And maybe getting up to sing?

Yes, that as well!

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