![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SEI_298324008-7a12.jpg\")
\n\t\tHe featured in scenes alongside June Brown (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tHe featured in scenes alongside June Brown (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Tributes are being made following the news EastEnders star Michael Keating has died at the age of 79.<\/p>\n
The actor featured in the BBC<\/a> One soap between the years of 2005 and 2017 as Reverend Stevens. <\/p>\n The character would often feature in scenes with Dot Cotton (June Brown).<\/p>\n His final appearance in the show saw the Reverend tell Dot that he was retiring and moving to Australia to live with his daughter.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Michael was the only actor to appear in all 52 episodes of the beloved science fiction show Blake\u2019s 7. <\/p>\n \t\t He portrayed the criminal Vila Restal, who had a penchant for hacking any security system. The character became a fan favourite thanks to his humour and comedic timing.<\/p>\n The actor was born in North London and began his acting career when he was 19. His first role was on stage at the Nottingham<\/a> Playhouse.<\/p>\n Michael\u2019s other TV credits include Doctor Who<\/a>, Casualty, Midsomer Murders and Yes Minister.<\/p>\n The star worked extensively in theatre throughout his career, including productions at the National Theatre and the Old Vic.<\/p>\n Fans of Michael Keating are sharing heartfelt tribute messages online following news of his death.<\/p>\n \t\t So terribly sad to hear reports that we\u2019ve lost Michael Keating. What a loss, and what a wonderful man. He\u2019ll be hugely missed. Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Michael, and thank you xx pic.twitter.com\/Au3gJqrNY3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Cult Edge (@cult_edge) May 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n One person wrote: \u2018Very sad news. Michael Keating has died aged 79. Loved him as Vila in Blake\u2019s 7, and so many other roles ranging from EastEnders to Yes Minister.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.<\/p>\n Click the button below and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \nAdd us as a Preferred Source<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \t\t Another added: \u2018Very sad to hear that Michael Keating has passed away. A genuinely lovely man, and he was absolutely brilliant in every single episode of Blake\u2019s 7. RIP.\u2019<\/p>\n This person said: \u2018Michael Keating the best thief in the galaxy. Another childhood hero gone. And Vila was a hero! RIP.\u2019<\/p>\n Cult Edge, the publisher of the Blake\u2019s 7 books, posted their own tribute to Michael on X and wrote: \u2018So terribly sad to hear reports that we\u2019ve lost Michael Keating. <\/p>\n \u2018What a loss, and what a wonderful man. He\u2019ll be hugely missed. Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Michael, and thank you xx.\u2019<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Reverend](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AD_73416154-815b.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe actor played a Reverend in EastEnders (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SEI_298323956-35a5.jpg\")
\n\t\tMichael featured in other shows including Doctor Who and Casualty (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779439175_509_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
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