Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant Headline Tributes to ‘Big Keith’ Actor Ewen MacIntosh from BBC’s The Office

 

The stars of the hit BBC sitcom The Office have expressed their condolences following the passing of their co-star Ewen MacIntosh, who died at the age of 50.

Ewen, known for his role as Keith Bishop in the UK version of the iconic show alongside Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman, tragically passed away. His management company announced the news on Wednesday, paying tribute to the “beloved comedy genius”. Tributes poured in for Ewen from his co-stars on The Office.

Creator and writer Ricky Gervais shared a heartfelt tribute on X, formerly Twitter, expressing his sadness. He described Ewen as “very funny and very lovely” and remembered him as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office. Actor David Schaal, who portrayed sexist warehouse manager Glynn, also honoured Ewen on social media, calling him a “lovely man”.

Stephen Merchant, known for his work on “The Office”, has expressed his sorrow over the loss of Ewen MacIntosh. He described Ewen as “a lovely, uniquely funny man” who brought the character of Keith to life with exceptional humour. Merchant recalled a moment of brilliance when Ewen improvised a voicemail message, leading them to expand his role due to his scene-stealing performances. Merchant mourned the loss, calling it a tragic and emphasising Ewen’s irreplaceable nature.

Ewen’s friend, Ed Scott, shared his heartache, noting the profound impact of losing such a close companion. Despite Ewen’s widespread recognition as Keith from “The Office”, Scott chose to highlight the actor’s off-screen qualities, including his empathy, kindness, and integrity. He extended his condolences to Ewen’s family, acknowledging their pain and the void left by his passing.

Matt Lucas, famed for “Little Britain”, also paid his respects, noting his sadness at Ewen’s departure. Having had the pleasure of working with Ewen, Lucas praised his sweet, smart, humble nature and his brilliant sense of humour, which left a lasting impression.

Ewen’s management company, JustRight Management, officially announced his peaceful passing, celebrating him as a beloved figure in comedy. They expressed gratitude towards those who supported him throughout his life, specifically mentioning Willow Green Care Home. The statement concluded with details of a private cremation for family and close friends, with plans for a memorial to celebrate his life later in the year.

Ewen was a prominent figure in The Office, appearing from its inception in 2001 until its conclusion in 2003. He portrayed an ageing accountant with a fondness for Scotch eggs. However, in 2022, the actor shared a photo from his hospital bed, revealing his struggles. He candidly admitted, “Bad times for me I’m afraid chums. Stay strong out there.” Following this, his activity on social media, specifically X, dwindled, ceasing altogether in April 2022.

Post-The Office, Ewen’s presence extended across various television shows including EastEnders, Little Britain, Miranda, and Finding Fatimah. Notably, he reunited with Ricky Gervais for the final series of After Life, taking on the role of ‘Buffet Man,’ a character who found himself banned from an all-you-can-eat establishment.