Frank Barrie, who starred as Edward Bishop in EastEnders, has died at the age of 88.
A statement from his agents has confirmed he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family.
The statement from Scott Marshall Partners read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client, Frank Barrie, at the age of 88.
“He died peacefully at home, with his wife Mary and daughter Julia.”
Frank Barrie starred in several soaps and theatre roles
IMDB
The Yorkshire-born actor played the role from 2010 to 2011, with his character the leader of the local church choir who embarked on a romance with Dot Cotton, played by the late June Brown.
He also enjoyed a stage career as a member of Sir Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre Company at the Old Vic.
Barrie was praised for his numerous Shakespearean and other stage roles, including The Woman In Black and Lunch With Marlene.
His one-man show, Macready!, played in 65 countries worldwide, representing GB at the 1982 Commonwealth Games Arts Festival in Australia.
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Very sad to hear about the passing of the great actor, Frank Barrie. I worked with Frank only once, but it was a rich experience. He was a gentleman, a teacher and a supportive wing man. A true man of the theatre, who will be sadly missed. RIP pic.twitter.com/KHTjopD6cP
— Jonas Cemm (@Jonas_Cemm) July 7, 2025
The actor made more than 150 screen appearances, including shows such as Emergency Ward 10, No Hiding Place, Softly, Softly, Special Branch, On Giant’s Shoulders, and Queen Of Swords.
In 1983, he played Eglamour in the BBC TV adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
He also found success as a director on productions of Shylock, JM Barrie and The Life and Loves of Edith Wharton, all of which toured internationally.
Barrie’s writing credits include Wellington, The Family at Ham, The Devil You Know, and The Other Woman, which was broadcast by the BBC, starring the late Dame Thora Hird.
The actor met his wife while attending Hull University, where he was president of the debating union.
He died on June 30. Taking to social media, fans have been paying their respects and expressing sadness at the news.
One wrote: “Very sad to hear about the passing of the great actor, Frank Barrie. I worked with Frank only once, but it was a rich experience.
“He was a gentleman, a teacher and a supportive wing man. A true man of the theatre, who will be sadly missed. RIP.”
Actor Frank Barrie died on June 30
PA
“That’s sad news,” another commented on Facebook, with a third adding “Oh… Frank…”
“Oh Frank such a gentleman,” another shared. A different fan added: “Frank Barrie was the first actor I ever met when he played in Sam Cree farces for my dad in Bridlington in the 60’s.
“Then I was spellbound when I saw him as Richard III at York rep some years later. A great testament to the sadly missed rep actors that have disappeared.”
“Such sad news,” one more added. (sic)