EastEnders stars and fans mourn funnyman Reid

COMEDIAN and actor Mike Reid had the last laugh yesterday as mourners attended his funeral in their throngs.

The 67-year-old’s coffin was carried into Little Easton Parish Church, Essex, accompanied by his 1970s chart hit Ugly Duckling. His hearse, complete with a floral duck on the roof, arrived in a cortege. Dozens of his fans congregated outside to hear the service relayed on speakers.

Several past and present cast members of EastEnders — where Reid made his name as Frank Butcher — attended, including Barbara Windsor, June Brown, Pam St Clement, Sid Owen and Michael Greco.

Reid’s stepson Jimmy read a tribute at the service, attended by about 250 people.

“He was a big man, big in stature, big in presence, big in everything,” he said.

“He will be sadly missed by many but to our family, and especially to our mother Shirley, his loss is almost too much to bear.”

Reid’s agent David Hahn also paid tribute to Reid and told how he “loved everybody at EastEnders”.

Frank Sinatra’s My Way was played in the church.

After the service, Barbara Windsor, who plays Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, said: “He was a wonderful man and I am going to miss him a lot. He was wonderful to work with. I was privileged.”

Reid, who died last month from a heart attack in Spain, is due to be cremated in Chelmsford today.