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 Radio Berkshire Reading. During off-peak hours, BBC Radio Berkshire also carries regional programmes for the South and South East regions, produced from sister stations BBC Radio Solent, BBC Radio Kent and BBC Radio Oxford. As with all BBC Local Radio stations, it also airs the networked weekday evening shows, originating from BBC Radio Leeds and produced independently by Wire Free Productions. During the station's downtime, BBC Radio Berkshire simulcasts BBC Radio 5 Live overnight. The station's weekday presenters include Steve Madden (early) Andrew Peach (breakfast), Sarah Walker (Monday - Thursday mornings), Tony Blackburn (Friday mornings), Bill Buckley (afternoons) and Phil Kennedy (drivetime).