Michael Keating, best known for his roles in “Doctor Who,” “Blake’s 7” and “EastEnders,” has died. He was 79.
Keating died “peacefully at home” on Sunday, April 26, his agent, Dan Ireson, confirmed in a statement to Page Six.
The British actor was “struggling with dementia” before he passed, Ireson said.
Keating was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, on February 10, 1947.
According to his IMDb, Keating’s first acting role was in an episode of the British TV series “Special Branch” in 1969.
He had a notable role in the 1977 “Doctor Who” story “The Sun Makers,” set during the 15th season of the beloved series with Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor.
Keating also lent his voice for multiple “Doctor Who” audio projects that were produced by Big Finish.
In a statement about Keating’s death, Big Finish said the late star “was warm, wily, honest about his own limitations, and almost impossible not to love.”
Keating’s big TV break came in 1978 when he landed a starring role as Vila Restal, a skilled thief, in “Blake’s 7.”
The sci-fi show, which aired on the BBC from 1978 to 1981, is about a group of rebels who fight an evil dictatorship that has taken over Earth.
“Blake’s 7” also starred Garth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, Paul Darrow, Jan Chappell, Josette Simon, Steve Pacey and David Jackson.
Keating reprised his “Blake’s 7” role in voice form for several podcast series in the 2010s and early 2020s that were similarly produced by Big Finish.
The company’s “Blake 7” producer Peter Anghelides said in a statement that it was “a joy” to work with Keating.
“His cheery presence on studio days was always most welcome. I would sit at the back of the Audio Sorcery control room hooting with laughter at his comic timing in our recordings,” Anghelides added.
Keating also notably appeared in 54 episodes of the soap opera “EastEnders” as Reverend George Stevens.
His other TV credits include “The Play on One,” “Kinsey,” “Casualty,” “Midsomer Murders” and more.
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