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‘The Archers’ and Norman Painting to be next Walk of Stars

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The Broad Street Business Improvement District is delighted to announce that their next TWO Walk of Star accolades will be be presented to the cast and crew of of BBC Radio Four’s ‘The Archers’ and cast member, Norman Painting, in September in the first ever joint presentation of the stars.

To coincide with the Birmingham City Council ‘Artsfest’ event the presentations will take place on Friday 12th September at 6.30pm on the main stage in Centenary Square. BBC WM Radio presenter Danny Kelly will host the evening.

‘The Archers’ was born on Broad Street in 1950 when the old BBC studios were situated on the street. The “everyday story of country folk” is the world’s longest running radio soap with more than 15,000 episodes broadcast. Since 1950 the show has always been recorded in studios in Birmingham, and is currently recorded from studios within The Mailbox.

Norman Painting has starred in the show since its beginning as Philip Archer, the head of the Archer family, as well as writing over 2,000 Archers scripts. Norman has shown his continued support for the city over the last 50 years, he is a Birmingham University graduate, a former patron of The Friends of Birmingham Cathedral where he has given numerous readings of verse and prose, in 1988 The University of Birmingham awarded him with his much cherished honorary degree and he has also preformed several times at the Birmingham Hippodrome and the Repertory Theatre.

Norman said he was “absolutely chuffed” to be receiving a Walk of Star accolade, “Birmingham is a very special place and I have spent many happy years there. I couldn’t believe my ears when I was told I would be receiving a star; I am thrilled, delighted and honoured, a very proud of it”.

Archers editor, Venessa Whitburn, added “despite being set in rural Ambridge, Birmingham has always been where ‘The Archers’ is recorded. We’re delighted to receive a star to celebrate out place in the city and thrilled for Norman to receive such an accolade. Birmingham is a special place for many of the cast and production team and we hope to enjoy many more years making the UK’s longest running drama here”.

Mike Olley, Broad Street Manager, is delighted ‘The Archers’ and Norman Painting are next to receive stars, “I’m thrilled that Norman Painting and ‘The Archers’ have agreed to be included in the Broad Street Walk of Stars. Norman, like myself, is a graduate of Birmingham University and has worked since the very beginning of the Archers in the city, by any measure that makes him a real Brummie. The Archers themselves were born on Broad Street with the BBC Midlands Light Programme in 1950 and have moved ever forward to be a national treasure and great British institution. This is the first double star we have ever undertaken and what a way to move forward with the Walk of Stars”.

For further information on the Walk of Stars, please contact www.walkofstars.co.uk.