BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Aug 11 2025 By Joel Harley Aug 11 2025 Tributes flood in as EastEnders star Ray Brooks dies, aged 86 The actor appeared on the soap between 2005 and 2007 Classic EastEnders Share By Joel Harley Aug 11 2025 By Joel Harley Aug 11 2025 Fans have paid tribute to EastEnders star Ray Brooks, who has died at the age of 86. The veteran actor was known by fans for playing Joe Macer – the husband and killer of Walford matriarch Pauline Fowler. Outside of Classic EastEnders, viewers will best remember Brooks as the voice of beloved animated character Mr. Benn. He also appeared on Coronation Street in 1964, as Norman Phillips, and in 70s horror classics The House of Whipcord and The Flesh and Blood Show. The actor’s family reported that he died on Saturday, August 9, following a short illness. The actor played murderous Joe Macer (Credit: BBC) EastEnders pays tribute to late actor Ray Brooks In tribute, the BBC released a post which said: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Ray Brooks has passed away. Ray will always be remembered fondly by everyone that worked with him at EastEnders. Our love and thoughts are with Ray’s family and friends.” In the comments below, fans remembered the actor for his great contributions to both EastEnders and popular culture. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers “He had a potential to be a great villain. Even better one than he was,” wrote one fan. “My condolences to his family. A great actor,” said a third. “God bless Ray he was such a great actor and funny. May you RIP Ray, sleep peacefully,” wrote a fourth. Joe was Pauline’s husband (Credit: BBC/YouTube) Who was Joe Macer on EastEnders? Joe arrived in Walford in 2005, meeting Pauline Fowler at a salsa club and immediately hitting it off. After falling in love with Pauline, he proposed to her in The Queen Vic – a proposal she initially rejected. However, when he asked for a second time she accepted, and the pair got engaged in February 2006. Soon after getting married, Joe admitted that he had a criminal past, revealing that he’d let a former associate once serve time in prison for him. Pauline ultimately forgave Joe, but their marriage did not last long after that. After discovering that Pauline had lied about having a brain tumour, Joe confronted his wife. In response, she told Joe that she had never loved him, and insulted his bedroom prowess. As their argument turned violent (with Pauline smashing a plate over Joe’s head), he stormed out. A few hours later, and Pauline was found dead in the Square. Joe later admitted that he had lashed out at Pauline in kind, striking her over the head with a frying pan. He confessed as much to Dot Cotton, who attempted to convince him to confess to the police. However, Joe refused, and as he got violent again, Dot’s husband Jim arrived home to find Joe holding her hostage. Rushing to save Dot, Jim pushed Joe out of a window, killing him. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Aug 11 2025 By Joel Harley Aug 11 2025
