Arnold Peters, Archers actor, has died aged 87 Arnold Peters, best known for his performance as Jack Woolley in The Archers has died at the age of 87. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Peters played Jack Woolley, a retired businessman who was once a pillar of the Borchester community, for over 30 years. His Alzheimer's diagnosis followed shortly after the start of an Archers storyline saw Jack develop the condition. However, Peters continued to appear on his show despite the progression of his dementia until 2011, when Jack became a silent character, who would regularly be visited by his wife, Peggy, played by June Spencer. The two actors had worked together before appearing on the Radio 4 serial and Spencer commented that Peters "loved acting" upon hearing the news of his death. Spencer's husband in real life also had Alzheimer's. She says: "It was his life he was the complete pro. He was very conscientious. He always turned in a good performance, no matter what we were doing. Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society praised Peter's performance of a character with dementia while suffering from the condition as one of "great strength and courage." He added: "Arnold's portrayal of Jack Woolley helped us greatly in the fight against dementia." Peters is survived by his wife Beryl and daughter Caroline.