Ricky Gervais leads The Office tributes to 'Big Keith' co-star Ewen MacIntosh

21 February 2024 , 12:38

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The Office stars have paid tribute to Big Keith actor Ewen MacIntosh

Stars of hit BBC sitcom The Office have paid tribute to their co-star Ewen MacIntosh following his death aged 50.

The actor played Keith Bishop in the UK version of the classic show alongside the likes of Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman. His tragic death was announced on Wednesday as his management company paid tribute to the "beloved comedy genius". Tributes soon flooded in for Ewen, including from this The Office co-stars.

The show's creator and write Ricky Gervais took to X - formerly Twitter - to share a heartfelt tribute. He wrote: "Extremely sad news. The very funny and very lovely Ewen Macintosh, known to many as 'Big Keith' from The Office, has passed away. An absolute original. RIP." Actor David Schaal, who played sexist warehouse manager Glynn also took to social media to pay a tribute to Ewen. He said: "Just head this terrible news. He was a lovely man. RIP Ewen."

Ewen was best known for his role as 'Big Keith' in The Office (BBC)

The Office show writer Stephen Merchant paid tribute as he said: "So very sad to hear of Ewen MacIntosh’s passing. A lovely, uniquely funny man who played Keith in The Office. So hilarious when we asked him to improv a voicemail message that we wrote more dialogue for him, and he stole every scene he was in. A total one-off. A tragic loss. RIP."

Paying tribute to the star, Ewen's friend Ed Scott wrote: "I am completely devastated by the loss of my very good friend Ewen MacIntosh. He may have had a famous face known by millions as Keith from The Office but the person inside is what I will most remember. Ewen was so full of empathy, kindness, and integrity and above all a really good man. Sending love to his parents Sara and Ewen Sr, his brother Colin and his family, as well as his many friends and fans."

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Little Britain star Matt Lucas added: "So sad to hear of the passing of Ewen MacIntosh. We were lucky enough to have him appear in 'Little Britain'. He was sweet and smart and humble and, of course, brilliantly funny." Ewen's management company JustRight Management announced the news in a statement, which read: "With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh. His family thank all who supported him, especially Willow Green Care Home. There will be a private cremation for family & close friends soon & a celebratory memorial later in the year."

Ewen starred in The Office from its first series in 2001 until the sitcom came to an end in 2003, playing the role of an old ball accountant with a passion for Scotch eggs. In 2022 the actor had posted an photo of himself in hospital in which he admitted he was struggled. He wrote: "Bad times for me I'm afraid chums. Stay strong out there." He hadn't been active on X since soon after, in April 2022.

After The Office, Ewen appeared in EastEnders, Little Britain, Miranda and Finding Fatimah. He also teamed back up with Ricky Gervais for the final series of After Life where he portrayed 'Buffet Man' - a bloke who had been barred from an all-you-can-eat restaurant.

Mia O'Hare