Mike Reid was a name everyone knew on EastEnders, famous for Frank Butcher’s grin and trilby. But off-screen, his life was far from the laughs and drama we saw on TV. Loss, heartbreak, and money troubles followed him everywhere. Fans saw the jokes, but no one knew the pain he carried. How did he manage to keep going? Keep scrolling to learn more.
From East End Clubs To EastEnders
Raid grew up in Hackney and had left school early. He had a rough start with East End figures like the Kray twins. He got into show business by working as a stuntman on films like The Dirty Dozen and Casino Royale. However, he soon made stand-up comedy his career. He had a sharp tongue, and his fast delivery made him a hit in the 1970s. Eventually, he became a household name through the Comedians.
And he joined the BBC soap in 1987. Initially, he had a part-time role. However, soon Reid became a permanent character after Frank brought the Queen Vic. Fans loved his witty comebacks and flashy clothes. And this made him iconic. People used to fail to find a difference between Mike Reid and Frank. He got so relatable to the fans.
However, when he played Frank’s mental health crisis, it affected Reid deeply. He used to feel anxious all the time and hence left the soap for a year. Though he returned multiple times. Frank’s romances with Pat and Peggy were one of the memorable moments.
He even acted in films outside the BBC soap. However, he always returned to stand up. Even when he was at the peak of fame in television, he did not leave stand-up. Even his costars praised his energy on set. And the audience kept coming back for his energy and authenticity. Reid’s every performance was a memorable one.
Reid’s Heartbreak And Hardships Off-Screen
Behind the fame, Reid’s personal life was devastating. In 1990, his youngest son, Mark, killed a friend and then himself. Reid wrote about it. And very soon his granddaughter died from cot death. Not just this, earlier, his first child passed away after birth. He had been through so much, yet he never showed his pain while he performed.
Even financially, there were multiple issues in his life. He had invested in Spain; however, it was a big failure. He also had health issues. However, he didn’t quit smoking and then in 2007, he suffered a heart attack. Reid was just 67 when he died in Marbella.
Over 250 people had attended his funeral in Essex. Even fans had come to pay respects. And the BBC dedicated an episode to his memory. How did someone endure so much yet still make people laugh every day? For more EastEnders spoilers and updates, keep following Soap Opera Daily.