Phil Archer Phil Archer Philip Walter Archer is a fictional character from the British BBC Radio 4 soap opera "The Archers", played by Norman Painting. He made his first appearance on 29 May 1950, the show's pilot episode. The character later became the longest serving male character in the series. His longevity gave him something of the status of a 'patriarch' in Ambridge. Norman Painting joined the cast as Phil Archer, the "handsome" son of Dan (Harry Oakes) and Doris Archer (Gwen Berryman), for the show's pilot episode broadcast on the BBC Midlands Home Service on 29 May 1950, he stayed on
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).