Shula and Kenton, and David and Elizabeth. After Dan retired, Phil took over Brookfield Farm, where he had a particular fondness for pigs. In 1991, he had a hip replacement operation, and in 2001 he handed the farm over to David and his wife; Phil and Jill moved to Glebe Cottage. Having retired from farming, Phil still helped out at Brookfield. He was also a pianist and enjoyed teaching his granddaughter Pip to play the piano; he also played the organ at St Stephen's Church. In spite of nearly suffering eye damage, after a lead-acid battery had accidentally exploded in his face, he also took up astronomy in his retirement and enjoyed cooking, though this was often to the irritation of Jill. Phil helps Jill and his grandchildren make Christmas cakes. A few days later, Jill returns home to find Phil has died in his armchair while listening to Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, with a cup of tea at his side. Reception In October 2009, Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture placed Phil at number one on her list of best soap opera characters of the month. Of Phil and Painting she said "One of the characters at the very heart of the soap, Phil's death will hopefully be written in a very moving way, and it'll no doubt have a profound effect on the whole Ambridge community. The longest-serving actor in any soap, Painting had also written over a thousand scripts for the show. He and Phil will both be sorely missed." Gillian Reynolds of The Daily Telegraph said Phil's death was "beautifully done, in seven scenes, three intersecting plot lines and all in 13 minutes. You knew it was coming. That very morning, in a preview, I'd even predicted it. Yet, when it did, I shed a tear. Any Archers fan will." Notes References External links Character profile at BBC Radio 4 Character profile at Archers Addicts The Archers characters Fictional British people Fictional farmers Male characters in radio Radio characters introduced in 1950