Actor Mike Reid dies

Ex-EastEnders actor and comedian Mike Reid has died of a heart attack aged 67.

Reid was apparently in good health before his sudden death in Spain.

Mr Reid's agent David Hahn said: "Mike was in fine fettle form.

"Only a couple of weeks ago we were having dinner over here and Mike that particular day went to see his consultant had a full medical and they gave him a clean bill of health."

He added: "He is going to be sadly missed in the industry."

Reid was most famous for his role as Frank Butcher in EastEnders.

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

Mr Hahn said: "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's big screen break came in 2000 when he was cast as Doug "The Head" Denovitz in Guy Ritchie's gangster film Snatch.

Reid began his career as a stuntman before working as a stand-up comedian and landing a role on popular TV series The Comedians in 1973.

Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell in the soap, paid tribute to Reid saying: "Mike was a lovely man and a good actor. He gave me a lot of advise which has often helped me."

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