An empty space at the Ambridge mic

 

Jill and Phil 

I've grown up and grown old listening to the man in the photo above: Norman Painting, who has played Phil Archer since the BBC radio serial, The Archers, began in 1950. To listen to The Archers is like wrapping oneself in a large, warm, comfort blanket.  I was just three in 1950 and now I'm . . . well, you can work it out for yourselves. So, hearing the news just a few minutes ago that Norman has died did give me considerable pause for thought.

Thanks for the memories Mr Painting; like millions of others, I'll miss that reassuring voice. Things will be rather quiet in Ambridge this evening, I imagine. And a glass or two raised in tribute at The Bull.

Comments

[Maureen]

What a sad moment in radio history. I can still recall vividly the evening in September 1955 when Phil's first wife, Grace, died in a fire at the stables. I was 9 at the time and I'm sure I thought they were real people. I can certainly remember crying with my mother and sister.

I still listen to the omnibus edition every Sunday morning.

[Jay]

I've never listened to The Archers, and to be frank, the music drives me insane, but .. how sad. I know a lot of people do love the series, and find it just as you describe; warm and comforting. I've just never got into it.

I'm sorry for the loss of one of its actor's though. He will leave a hole in many people's hearts, I think.

[Jennyff]

He will be sadly missed by devoted fans. Unlike many of the Archers characters both Jill and Phil do look as I imagine them.

[kathleen]

I think the character I remember best from when I listened to the Archers just has to be Walter Gabriel and his "Me old pal me old beauty" Long ago and far away ...

[thelma clayton]

abig thanks for so many hours in my life be it that i was home or away the archers have always been part of it and you as phil, so life goes on ,and time passes. you will be sadly missed tic w-s-m north somerset