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
Jan Ravens grin) and Fiona Bruce (with barely concealed filthy invitations) of BBC News, Anne Robinson of "The Weakest Link", Lesley Garrett (often referring to her generous cleavage), Hillary Clinton, Theresa May and the Geordie-accented Ruth Archer from the BBC Radio 4 series "The Archers". Ravens appeared in a series-three episode, ("Monday Morning will be Fine"), of David Renwick's series "One Foot in the Grave" as Pat Aylesbury, one of the neighbours to whom Meldrew turns after being burgled. From 1996 till 2001 she played Janet Grimley, the mother in "The Grimleys", a nostalgic sitcom set in '70s Dudley. In autumn 2006,