Tributes have been paid to former 'EastEnders' star Mike Reid, who died yesterday.
Reid, who was 67, died of a heart attack in Spain.
He was most famous for his role as Frank Butcher in 'EastEnders' but in his career he also hosted the children's television show 'Runaround' and starred in the Guy Ritchie film 'Snatch'.
A former stuntman, Reid first experienced TV success as a stand-up comedian in the 1970s.
Paying tribute to the actor, John Yorke, Controller of BBC Drama Series, said: "Frank Butcher was one of a select group of truly great 'EastEnders' characters and the skill with which Mike Reid played him made him one of the most popular and well-loved of all."
He continued: "Frank could break your heart and make you prostrate with laughter - often at the same time. Mike's genius was to capture the heart of that flawed dreamer and make generations of viewers love him."
"Albert Square - and British Television - will be a far poorer place without him, as will the lives of those who loved and worked with him throughout his extraordinary career", he added.
Reid's co-star, Pam St Clement, who played his on-screen wife Pat in 'EastEnders', said she was "sorry to lose such a dear friend and colleague".
She continued: "It has come as a terrible shock. Somebody larger than life as Mike, as a person and character, seemed indestructible."
Reid's friend and fellow comedian Frank Carson said his death was "absolutely devastating".
"Everyone in showbusiness will be shocked because this was one of the great friends of anything you wanted to do in showbusiness. I do not know what to say," he said.
