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Radio/podcast addicts

Discuss your favourite podcast, radio show or The Archers episode.

RIP Phil Archer

27 replies

Lilymaid · 29/10/2009 17:08

Or rather Norman Painting, the actor who has played Phil for over 50 years who died today. No more astronomy or competitive baking.

OP posts:
TspookyChasm · 29/10/2009 17:12

Oh no how sad!

I'm amazed he was 85. I always thought he sounded in his 60's. It was just the mental picture I had of him.

He did a fantastic job. I should think if you've played a character for that long you are them and they are you iyswim.

abra1d · 29/10/2009 17:15

Oh poor old Phil! I wonder how they'll plot that one out.

PrincessFiorimonde · 29/10/2009 17:30

There will be a tribute to the actor on the PM programme shortly.

R4 · 29/10/2009 17:48

I think that they have already plotted it, abraid, in the form of Jim.

RIP Norman

R4 · 29/10/2009 17:59

That article brought tears to my eyes. Norman had such a beautiful voice and Phil was always so nice.
How bizarre that he has been outlived by Grace who 'died' 54 years ago.

TspookyChasm · 29/10/2009 18:33

Yes, lovely voice. Sort of kind, like your favourite grandad.

deepdarkwood · 29/10/2009 18:40

Very sad - and agree, TsChasm - he did wound much younger. Lovely, soft, contented voice

deepdarkwood · 29/10/2009 18:40

sound, not wound ...

R4 · 29/10/2009 19:41

I am surprised at the BBC's coverage of this. The six o'clock news hardly mentioned him (I know it is a busy news day but they could have bumped the article on coastal Wales) and the local (Midlands) news didn't say much more. As for Continuity saying that today's programme - all about the Grundys invading Brookfield - was dedicated to him ... words fail me!

GrimmaTheNome · 29/10/2009 20:11

R4, they'd had quite a bit in the PM program directly before the 6pm news - clips and interview with 'Jill'.

I will miss him - a voice who has been there all my life (and longer). I think 'Phil' must have been a bit younger than Norman really was.

OrmIrian · 29/10/2009 20:14

Oh nooooo!

duckyfuzz · 29/10/2009 20:17

very sad news

HumphreyCobbler · 29/10/2009 20:22

No How sad.

wilbur · 29/10/2009 20:24

Oh how sad - didn't realise he was in his eighties, but then I knew about his first wife dying in 1955... Will have to put a note on calendar for last episode on 22nd Nov.

Poor Jill

moodlum · 29/10/2009 20:29

I don't understand how its been plotted out with Jim? Have I missed something obvious - or is it just him becoming the senior man on the programme?

traceybath · 29/10/2009 20:31

Very sad.

I always feel I know people on the radio more than those on TV as they seem more part of my life as I listen pretty much all day.

R4 · 29/10/2009 20:59

Grimma, I heard the piece on PM. I was referring to the TV six o'clock news. Norman was born in 1924, Phil in 1928.

Moodlum: I just meant that Jim is the 'replacement' grand-dad. Listening to today's programme and Joe going on about how tired he was, I was almost expecting him to go too. He's 88 and Jack is 90.

GrimmaTheNome · 29/10/2009 21:03

R4 - Oh, TV. I wouldn't know . TBH I wouldn't expect much of a mention except on Radio4.

R4 · 29/10/2009 21:18

I thought the BBC generally would make more of a fuss, I doubt we'll see his like again. I was trying to explain to the DC about how long Norman/Phil had been around and trying to find an analogy and I couldn't think of one. Perhaps Patrick Moore or QEII?

MamaGoblin · 29/10/2009 22:46

He was the first article on R4 news just after it was announced, which is pretty good, and the third or fourth article on bulletins thereafter.

Very sad. Like everyone else, I always saw Phil as much younger, but I suppose he had to be in his 80's or the first wife thing becomes pretty illegal! I wonder how they'll write him out.

FiveGoMadonTheDanceFloor · 29/10/2009 22:50

I think he had terminal cancer but it doesn't make it any easier RIP

CoffeeCrazedMama · 02/11/2009 16:02

Wilbur - did you say Phil's last episode is on the 22nd? Is that Stir-up Sunday this year? When every year, Jill has the grandchildren round to make the Christmas puddings at Glebe Cottage... sob

Poledra · 02/11/2009 16:11

Noooooooooo! Have been away on holiday and have only just seen this. He had such a beautiful comforting voice - I'll miss him

R4 · 04/11/2009 11:59

CCM, I think you have it. The last broadcast is 22nd, which is indeed stir-up Sunday.

Bramshott · 04/11/2009 12:41

I read that in the last programme he recorded (going out on 22nd) it's all about preparing for Christmas with the grandchildren.