By Sarah Smithon Monday, 30 Jul 2007 The comedian and actor Mike Reid, best known for his role as Frank Butcher in the BBC soap Eastenders, has died.
The 67-year-old is believed to have suffered from an unexpected heart attack at his home in Spain, where he has been living since leaving the programme in December 2005.
Prior to joining the cast of Albert Square in 1987, Reid rose to fame in 1973 as one of the stars of the ITV show The Comedians, while he also had roles in the films Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and Spartacus.
However, it was as one half of the husband and wife double act Frank and Pat Butcher for which he will be best remembered, having established his character as one of the show's favourites.
John Yorke, controller of BBC drama series, said: "Mike's genius was to capture the heart of that flawed dreamer and make generations of viewers love him.
"Albert Square - and British television - will be a far poorer place without him, as will the lives of those who loved and worked with him throughout his extraordinary career," he told BBC News.
Reid's death comes soon after that of fellow comedian Bernard Manning, with the pair having regularly appeared together on The Comedians.
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