{"id":253307,"date":"2025-07-10T11:09:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T11:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/253307\/"},"modified":"2025-07-10T11:09:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T11:09:11","slug":"bbc-eastenders-star-dies-at-88-as-tributes-flood-in-for-actor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/253307\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC EastEnders star dies at 88 as tributes flood in for actor"},"content":{"rendered":"

Frank Barrie, who starred as Edward Bishop in EastEnders, has died at the age of 88.<\/p>\n

A statement from his agents has confirmed he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“He died peacefully at home, with his wife Mary and daughter Julia.”<\/p>\n

\"Frank<\/p>\n

Frank Barrie starred in several soaps and theatre roles<\/p>\n

IMDB<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

He also enjoyed a stage career as a member of Sir Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre Company at the Old Vic.<\/p>\n

Barrie was praised for his numerous Shakespearean and other stage roles, including The Woman In Black and Lunch With Marlene.<\/p>\n

His one-man show, Macready!, played in 65 countries worldwide, representing GB at the 1982 Commonwealth Games Arts Festival in Australia.<\/p>\n

LATEST CELEBRITY NEWS: <\/strong><\/p>\n

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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<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jonas Cemm (@Jonas_Cemm) July 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The actor made more than 150 screen appearances, including shows such as Emergency Ward 10, No Hiding Place, Softly, Softly, Special Branch, On Giant\u2019s Shoulders, and Queen Of Swords.<\/p>\n

In 1983, he played Eglamour in the BBC TV adaptation of Shakespeare\u2019s The Two Gentlemen of Verona.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Barrie\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The actor met his wife while attending Hull University, where he was president of the debating union.<\/p>\n

He died on June 30. Taking to social media, fans have been paying their respects and expressing sadness at the news.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

“He was a gentleman, a teacher and a supportive wing man. A true man of the theatre, who will be sadly missed. RIP.”<\/p>\n

\"Frank<\/p>\n

Actor Frank Barrie died on June 30<\/p>\n

PA<\/p>\n

“That\u2019s sad news,” another commented on Facebook, with a third adding “Oh\u2026 Frank\u2026”<\/p>\n

“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. <\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

“Such sad news,” one more added. (sic)<\/p>\n