Ex-EastEnders actor Mike Reid dies - July 29 2007
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."

His voice cracking, he explained that he had first met Mike around 30 years ago when they were both working as comedians.

He said: "This is devastating. We all expected Bernard to die because we were with him so often over many months when he was deteriorating but this is horrendous news.

"Everyone in showbusiness will be shocked because this was one of the great friends of anything you wanted to do in showbusiness. I do not know what to say."