BBC EastEnders star Michael Keating dies aged 79
The actor appeared in the BBC soap for 12 years
www.liverpoolecho.co.ukHere’s the latest I can share based on the most recent publicly available reports:
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Michael Keating, the British actor known for Blake’s 7 and EastEnders, has been reported as having died at age 79 in May 2026. Several outlets picked up the announcement on May 21, 2026, noting his long-running role as Reverend Stevens on EastEnders from 2005 to 2017 and his earlier science-fiction work [sources: Independent, BBC-linked coverage, Express/Mirror syndication around May 21, 2026].
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In EastEnders, Reverend Stevens was a recurring presence during major moments in Walford, often seen with other iconic characters, and Keating’s portrayal spanned over a decade on the show. Contemporary tributes highlighted his contribution to British television and his popularity among fans of both soap operas and science fiction .
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Beyond EastEnders, Keating is remembered for earlier work on Blake’s 7 (notably Vila Restal), as well as appearances in Doctor Who, The Bill, Casualty, and Midsomer Murders, reflecting a diverse TV career across decades .
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Public statements about his death emphasized privacy regarding precise health details, with agents and family not releasing specific causes of death, consistent with the private handling typical of many actors’ passings .
Would you like a brief timeline of his key roles and a list of tributes from colleagues, or are you looking for details about his filmography and notable performances? I can also pull direct quotes from the coverage and compile them for you.