Archers actor dies aged 85
NORMAN PAINTING, who played Phil Archer in the radio show The Archers since 1951, has died aged 85.
Painting, whose final appearance on the BBC Radio 4 programme was aired a year ago, also worked as a scriptwriter for it from 1966 to 1982.
He was found at his cottage in Warmington, Oxfordshire, by his carer yesterday morning.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said: “Norman was a gifted writer and broadcaster. His death leaves us with a great sense of loss but an even deeper feeling of gratitude for such a huge contribution.”