A VILLAGE is mourning the loss of Norman Painting, the actor who played Philip Archer in radio show The Archers for almost 60 years.

It is understood that Mr Painting, who played Ambridge farmer Phil Archer, was found at his cottage in Warmington, near Banbury, by his carer on Thursday morning.

The 85-year-old had starred in the BBC Radio 4 series since its trial run in 1950.

The actor was also a scriptwriter on the programme from 1966-82 and wrote 1,198 scripts.

Mark Thompson, BBC director general, said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Mr Painting’s death.

Jenny Handscombe, Warmington parish councillor, said: “Everyone in the village is sad to hear the news of Norman’s death.”

In recent years, Mr Painting’s appearances on The Archers became limited as he suffered poor health, including a heart condition. He was last heard on the show in September.

The actor was diagnosed with bladder cancer several years ago but said it would not stop him doing “what I love”.

In 1982, when his character suffered an eye injury, he suffered a heart attack and was treated in the intensive care unit at The Horton Hospital in Banbury.

Mr Painting spent what was to be his last day in the studio on Tuesday last week.

Fans will be able to hear his final episode on Sunday, November 22, when the character will be surrounded by his grandchildren preparing for Christmas.

Mr Thompson said Mr Painting chose to leave a promising career at Oxford University to devote 60 years to BBC audiences who regarded him as a friend.

After being awarded a first in English Literature at Birmingham University, Mr Painting won a scholarship to Christ Church in Oxford to research Anglo-Saxon poetry.

He went on to teach the subject and drama.

Mr Painting was well known in Banbury and once backed an appeal to restore the town’s St Mary’s Church.

Mr Thompson said: “He rightly became renowned for his portrayal of Phil Archer, a role he created in the pilot episode in 1950, 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.”

Mr Painting received an OBE in 1976 and wrote an autobiography entitled Reluctant Archer.

One of his most hard-hitting storylines was when Phil’s first wife Grace died in a barn fire in 1955.

Vanessa Whitburn, the show’s editor, described Mr Painting as a “consummate professional”.

She said: “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.”