The Archers Ysanne Churchman, who played Grace, sent them a congratulatory card signed "Grace Archer". In 1996, William Smethurst recounted a conversation with Baseley in which he reveals his real motivation for killing off Grace Archer: Churchman was encouraging the other actors to join a trade union. The actor Norman Painting played Phil Archer continuously from the first trial series in 1950 until his death on 29 October 2009. His last "Archers" performance was recorded just two days before his death, and was broadcast on 22 November. He is cited in "Guinness World Records" as the longest-serving actor in a single soap
BBC Birmingham BBC Bristol and BBC Northern Ireland respectively. The original series of "Top Gear" was also produced by BBC Birmingham as was some content of the astronomy-based programme The Sky at Night, while the rest is produced in Selsey. BBC Birmingham output has steadily diminished over time as production has moved elsewhere with the closure of Pebble Mill and the development of other BBC sites. "Doctors" is currently produced at the BBC Drama Village in Selly Oak, and "The Archers" is produced for BBC Radio 4. "Father Brown", "WPC 56", and "The Coroner" are all BBC Birmingham productions for afternoon broadcast.