Norman Painting 1924-2009

Norman Painting, who played Phil Archer in the BBC radio soap The Archers, has died at the age of 85. As BBC News reports, as well as being an actor, Painting also wrote for the series "under the pen name Bruno Milna, and was responsible for more than 1,100 episodes, receiving a Writer's Guild Award in 1967."

There are obituaries in The Guardian, The Telegraph and by Jenny Booth in The Times.

The show’s editor, Vanessa Whitburn, described Mr Painting as a consummate professional.

“Under his sure hand, Phil graduated seamlessly from young romantic hero to serious farmer and father - holding Brookfield together in good times and bad, handing over the farm to eldest son David in 2001," she said.

“Norman then gave us the delighted grandfather; enjoying astronomy with Daniel, music with Pip and finally always there when needed to give advice about farming methods of the past to son David.

“Norman always wanted to remain working on The Archers until he died - and I am delighted and proud of him that he achieved his wish.”