The TV star also appeared in Blake 7, Yes Minister, The Bill and Casualty
Tributes are being paid to beloved EastEnders actor Michael Keating, who passed away after 12 years on the soap. Keating appeared as Reverend Stevens from 2005 to 2017 as the actor sadly died at age 79.
The character was a familiar face at Walford christenings, marriages and funerals according to The Mirror. He appeared to officiate some of the soap’s most recent deaths, being seen leading the prayers at the graveside as Ronnie Mitchell’s funeral in 2017, with mourners including Jack and Max Branning looking on.
Over a long career, Michael appeared in some of British TV’s biggest hits. He was 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, Doctor Who, in an early 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.
Sci-fi fans paid tribute to Michael tonight, 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”
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