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.

[3] Of this, he commented "I use a different voice from when I played Mike Tucker in case there are sharp-eared listeners with long memories.

[4] In 1973, the producer of The Archers at the time, Tony Shryane, called Terry Molloy to audition for the role of Mike.

The character brought his wife, Betty (Pamela Craig), to town too and the pair become a formidable force in Ambridge.

[1] "Mike didn't suffer fools gladly and generally only opened his mouth to change feet.

Betty hunted around for work and managed to find a job cleaning the Aldridge's house, while Mike became a milkman for Borchester Dairies.

In 1991, Mike lost his eye in a farming accident, for which local business tycoon Brian Aldridge was found to be responsible.

The decision to end the character was made after Craig decided to leave the show after 30 years and retire to New Zealand.

[1] Vicky Hudson swooped into the life of Mike Tucker soon after Betty's death, dividing opinion across the village.

[1] Ahead of the character's departure from the show, Nancy Banks-Smith of The Guardian stated: "Milkmen are traditionally cheery, but Mike Tucker broke the mould.

Mark you, his life was one damn thing after another, so, when he finally said, 'We won't be here much longer', you wondered if he meant death or Birmingham.