chemical-licker Posted July 29, 2007 #1 Share Posted July 29, 2007 http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20070729...es-6323e80.html The actor Mike Reid has died, his agent David Hahn told BBC News 24 Reid, most famous for his role as EastEnders' Frank Butcher, was 67. He died of a heart attack He first appeared on the soap in September 1987 and gave his last turn in December 2005. Mr Hahn told the BBC: "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." Close friend of the actor and fellow comedian Frank Carson, speaking from Spain, had only just heard of his death and told BBC 24 it was "absolutely devastating". Clearly emotional, Mr Carson said: "Goodness me, this is absolutely devastating. We have just lost our friend Bernard Manning a fortnight ago. I just can't realise... this is devastating news." Reid, who played wheeler and dealer Frank Butcher in the BBC1 soap, rose to fame on London's comedy circuit. In the 1960s he worked as a stand-up comedian in clubs and aboard cruise liners. He was one of the original stars of The Comedians, a popular TV series of the 1970s that was produced by Johnnie Hamp for Granada Television. It was not until the 1980s that his big break came when he secured the part of EastEnder Frank Butcher. He joined the show in 1987 and quickly turning Frank into one of the show's most popular characters. 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 Frank in December 2005 when his long-standing relationship with ex-wife Pat Evans finally came to an end. He went on to appear in Guy Ritchie's gangster movie Snatch. one of the greats mike reid r.i.p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Serenity Posted July 29, 2007 #2 Share Posted July 29, 2007 R.I.P Mike Reid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ships-cat Posted July 29, 2007 #3 Share Posted July 29, 2007 He was known to the UK audience primarily for his Eastenders character. However, he was an 'old-school' actor, who had worked in a variety of roles over the decades, and had 'earned his ticket' rather than being a studio-created 'instant star'. He did a novelty recording of the "Ugly Duckling" song in 1975. You've moulted your earthly feathers Mike. And now you're a very fine Swan indeed. Meow Purr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Hill Posted July 29, 2007 #4 Share Posted July 29, 2007 oh No... rest in peace... Mike Reid.. One of my favorite jokes of his was....( heavy cockney accent) “Have you heard Salman Rushdie’s written a new book? It’s called ‘Buddha is a c*nt’” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DДrk_Lotu§ Posted July 29, 2007 #5 Share Posted July 29, 2007 such a shame R.I.P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon Monkey Posted July 30, 2007 #6 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Shame. I couldn't beleive he was only 67 tho, thought he was in his sixties when he hosted the best ever UK kids show......altogether...."runaround...now !" (said with a gruff, cockney accent) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander CMG Posted July 30, 2007 #7 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I was watching him playing golf a couple of weeks ago.. Old school comedian R.I.P. My thoughts are with his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louie Posted July 30, 2007 #8 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Funny man. Pat Pat Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket88 Posted July 30, 2007 #9 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Cant stand Eastenders, but Mike Reid was a brilliant comedian. R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Hill Posted July 30, 2007 #10 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Here's the master in action- warning strong language at the end.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotus Flower Posted July 30, 2007 #11 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I saw this on the news this morning, bit of a shock when someone goes so quickly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemical-licker Posted July 30, 2007 Author #12 Share Posted July 30, 2007 classic mike reid nice one billyhill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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