EastEnders star Michael Keating dead as tributes paid to acclaimed actor
EastEnders star Michael Keating appeared for over a decade(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)Tributes have been paid to an beloved EastEnders actor who appeared in the soap for 12 years.
Michael Keating, who appeared as Reverend George Stevens from 2005 to 2017, has died aged 79. As the local priest he often shared scenes with Dot Cotton, played by June Brown, who died in 2022 and was a familiar face at Walford christenings, marriages and funerals.
He officiated some of the soap’s most recent funerals, being seen leading the prayers at the graveside as Ronnie Mitchell’s funeral in 2017, with mourners including Jack and Max Branning looking on.
Reverend Stevens leading a prayer at Ronnie Mitchell’s funeral(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
Reverend Stevens appearing in an episode of EastEnders in 2011(Image: BBC)
Over a long career, Michael appeared in some of the biggest shows on British telly. He was the only actor to appear in all 52 episodes of sci-fi drama series Blake 7 as the criminal mastermind Vila Restal. He also appeared in another sci-fi fit appearing in an early Doctor Who story called The Sun Makers and the audio drama The Twilight Kingdom.
Born in North London in 1947, Michael began his acting career in 1966 and went on to have roles in enduring hits including Yes Minister, The Bill, Casualty and London’s Burning. His final TV role was in a 2009 episode of Midsomer Murders called The Dogleg Murders as Derek Painter, a friend of the Barnabys.
His death was confirmed by his agent to the Press Association.
The actor appeared in some of the biggest shows on British TV(Image: Shutterstock)Sci-fi fans paid tribute to Michael, with one writing: “Very sad to hear that Michael Keating has passed away. A genuinely lovely man, and he was absolutely brilliant in every single episode of Blake’s 7. RIP.”
Another said: “Very sad news. Michael Keating has died aged 79. Loved him as Vila in Blake’s 7, and so many other roles ranging from EastEnders to Yes Minister.”
A third referred to his role as a Blake’s 7 baddie posting: “Michael Keating the best thief in the galaxy. Another childhood hero gone. And Vila was a hero! RIP.”
The Cult Edge account posted: “So terribly sad to hear reports that we’ve lost Michael Keating. What a loss, and what a wonderful man. He’ll be hugely missed. Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Michael, and thank you xx.”
