Norman Painting 1924-2009
29 October 2009

Norman Painting (Phil Archer) has died aged 85. Norman played the part of Phil since The Archers' trial run in 1950. From 1966 to 1982, he also wrote 1,198 scripts under the pen-name Bruno Milna.

Norman Painting

Read Archers editor Vanessa Whitburn's tribute to Norman Painting

Read Norman Painting's obituary on BBC News website

BBC director-general Mark Thompson said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of Norman's death. Norman chose to leave behind a promising career in academia at Oxford to devote 60 years in the service of BBC audiences. He rightly became renowned for his portrayal of Phil Archer, but he was also a gifted writer and talented versatile broadcaster.

"He was a pillar of The Archers family, but to millions of listeners he became a friend and latterly a wonderful father figure. His death leaves us with a great sense of loss but an even deeper feeling of gratitude for such a huge contribution to the BBC and its audiences over six decades."

Archers editor Vanessa Whitburn said: " Norman was simply the 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 his eldest son David in 2001.

"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."

Controller of Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer said: "Norman Painting was for almost 60 years a central figure in one of Radio 4's hallmark programmes. As Phil Archer, he became a wonderful patriarch, yet he had started decades earlier as a young romantic hero.

"His success was not due merely to longevity but to his passion for The Archers and his skill as a radio actor. He loved the medium. He will be deeply missed by the rest of The Archers team and his millions of fans."

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