British actor Norman Painting (Phil Archer) has died

[JimboPSM]

A very familiar voice for many of the “less young” Brits who grew up listening to the Home Service (now Radio 4) on their crystal sets or wireless.

From BBC News:

Norman Painting, the voice of Philip Archer on long-running Radio 4 drama The Archers, has died at the age of 85.

Born in Leamington Spa in 1924, the actor played the Ambridge farmer since the show's first trial run in 1950.

Painting wrote more than 1,000 scripts for the show between 1966 and 1982. He also penned a best-selling book on the programme, first published in 1975.

He is featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-serving actor in a single soap opera.

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8331558.stm

BBC Obituary: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7958978.stm