Former EastEnders actor Mike Reid dies from ‘sudden’ heart attack

THE actor Mike Reid, most famous for his role as EastEnders’ Frank Butcher, has died of a heart attack at age 67.

Reid first appeared on the soap in September 1987 and gave his last turn in December 2005.

He started out as a stand-up comedian in clubs and on cruise liners, before appearing in television shows such as Steptoe and Son, Doctor Who and Minder.

His agent David Hahn told the BBC Reid had been feeling very well in the past few weeks and was apparently in good health before the “sudden” heart attack in Spain, where he lived.

“In fact, only a couple of weeks ago we were having dinner over here [Spain]. Mike that particular day went to see his consultant and had a full medical — and they gave him a clean bill of health,” said Mr Hahn.

“Mike was a very, very, very funny man. He would see the funny side of every situation no matter how black it was. Even now I am sure he is laughing.”

Reid, who played wheeler and dealer Butcher in the BBC soap, rose to fame on London’s comedy circuit. In the 1960s he worked as a stand-up comedian in clubs and onboard cruise liners.

He was one of the original stars of The Comedians, a popular TV series of the 1970s that consisted entirely of short slots by mature stand-up comedians. Reid capitalised on his initial success with a one-off hit record, a novelty version of The Ugly Duckling.

In the late 1970s, he hosted the ITV children’s quiz show Runaround.

But his big break did not come until the 1980s when he secured the part of Butcher. He joined EastEnders in 1987.

After taking a couple of lengthy breaks from the show due to stress, he finally left in 2000 when he announced he was leaving permanently.

He made his last appearance as Butcher in December 2005.