BBC Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 Tributes flood in as EastEnders star Frank Barrie passes away, aged 88 Former EastEnders star Frank Barrie has died aged 88, it has been reported. The veteran star of stage and screen played Edward Bishop on the... Dot Cotton EastEnders EastEnders Cast Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 Former EastEnders star Frank Barrie has died aged 88, it has been reported. The veteran star of stage and screen played Edward Bishop on the soap from 2010 to 2011. During this time, Frank starred opposite EastEnders icon June Brown , who played Dot Cotton. Meeting in the wake of her husband Jim’s illness, Edward and Dot soon developed something of a romance… albeit one which was never going to last. Frank Barrie was a veteran star of stage and screen (Picture: Shutterstock) EastEnders star Frank Barrie dies, aged 88 The actor’s agent confirmed his death today. A statement issued by Scott Marshall Partners reads: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client, Frank Barrie, at the age of 88. He died peacefully at home, with his wife Mary and daughter Julia.” Outside of his work on EastEnders, Frank was a renowned theatre actor, and a member of Sir Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre Company at the Old Vic. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers His many theatre roles include the Shakespeare plays Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Merchant of Venice. He also garnered rave reviews for his performances in The Woman In Black and Lunch With Marlene. During his decades-long career, Frank also developed his own one-man show, titled Macready! As part of the production, he toured across 65 countries around the world. His TV and film work include Calendar Girls (where he is credited as ‘Lecherous Photographer’), Jekyll & Hyde, and Murder in Suburbia. He also appeared in two episodes of the daytime soap opera Doctors, in 2008 and 2013. Frank starred with legendary actress Kate O’Mara in the play Lunch With Marlene (Picture: Shutterstock) Who did Frank Barrie play on EastEnders? Arriving on the scene in December 2010, Frank played church choir leader Edward. Providing meals for Jim Branning following his stroke, Edward befriended Walford royalty Dot during his time on Albert Square. As Dot and Edward’s friendship grew, he admitted his feelings for her. She felt the same, but was unable to reciprocate, due to her being a married woman. Edward’s last appearance on the soap was in May 2011, leaving Walford after being sent away by Dot. We are deeply saddened to hear that Frank Barrie has passed away. Our love and thoughts are with Frank’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/cwwSpkWDyy — BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) July 10, 2025 Following Frank’s passing, the soap has issued its own tribute to the actor. Sharing an image of Frank in character as Edward, a post on X read: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Frank Barrie has passed away. Our love and thoughts are with Frank’s family and friends.” “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,” wrote another user on the social media site. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of exits, arrivals and returns Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025
