Ewen MacIntosh death updates — Keith Bishop from the Office dies aged 50 as heartbroken fans pay tribute
EWEN MacIntosh, who starred as Keith in the Office, has died aged 50.
The comedian played the beloved character in the UK version of the classic sitcom starring Ricky Gervais and experienced health battles in recent years.
Devastated fans have flooded social media with tributes to the late star.
Paying tribute, Ricky Gervais wrote on X: "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."
Responding to the heartwarming tribute, fans vowed to "have a scotch egg" in honour of the star.
Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Where The Office cast are now
Fans of The Office have been left devastated by the news actor Ewen MacIntosh, who starred as the hilarious Keith Bishop, has died aged 50.
Tributes have flooded in for the actor, with his co-star Ricky Gervais branding him "an absolute original".
Here we take a look at what became of other members of The Office cast - including those who managed to crack Hollywood.
Ewen MacIntosh's lockdown hustle
During the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, Ewen MacIntosh started charging £45 to give fans a video shout-out.
He said the videos were a big help financially during the pandemic.
“When lockdown happened video messaging took off," he said.
“All my requests are for me to do Keith for birthday messages, stag dos, weddings and so on.
"That has really, financially, got me through the pandemic in quite a big way.”
Ewen MacIntosh's career struggles after The Office
Ewen MacIntosh, who was best known for his role of Keith Bishop from The Office, struggled for acting roles since the show ended in 2003.
In 2016, the actor was declared bankrupt after owing the taxman thousands of pounds.
He later revealed that he was even snubbed for an acting job looking for "a Keith from The Office" character.
“I remember, there was a thing came through for an advert for Norwich Union and on the brief they said we want a sort of Keith from The Office character," he said in 2020.
“My agent put me up for it, I went along — and I didn’t get it.”
Inside Ewen MacIntosh’s health battle
The Office star Ewen MacIntosh's health struggles saw him taken to hospital and 'supported by a care home' before his tragic death at age 50.
He previously shared his trips to hospital amid mysterious health issues.
Ewen MacIntosh's iconic portrayal of Keith Bishop
Ewen MacIntosh was best known for playing 'Big Keith' Bishop in The Office from 2001 to 2003.
During his time on the popular sitcom, Ewen's portrayal of the deadpan accountant became a hit for a string of comedy moments - including dressing as Ali G.
He also described his weakness on a staff appraisal as “eczema” and was famed for his iconic scotch egg scene.
The star remained, despite a number of staff changes at the fictional Wernham Hogg paper firm, until its last episode in 2003.
Credit: TNI Press Miranda Hart reacts to 'very sad news'
Miranda Hart said she was "very sad" to hear the news of Ewen MacIntosh's death.
She said she was grateful to have worked on a scene with MacIntosh on BBC comedy show Miranda.
"We were the same age and crossed paths many times as we did our best to be funny and make a living out of it," Hart said on Instagram. "It wasn’t always likely but we did it and I am glad we got to do a scene together. Thank you xx."
Stephen Merchant pays tribute to 'lovely' Ewen MacIntosh
The Office co-write and co-director Stephen Merchant has paid tribute Ewen MacIntosh, calling him "a lovely and uniquely funny man."
"I fondly recall we asked him to improvise an out-of-office message, and he was so hilarious we started writing more and more dialogue for him.
"He soon stole every scene he was in. A total one-off. A tragic loss. RIP."
What was Ewen Macintosh's net worth?
Ewen reportedly went bankrupt in 2016.
Even so, IdolNetWorth estimates he had a net worth of between $100,000 (£79,300) and $1million (£793,000).
Ewen MacIntosh looked back on iconic Scotch egg scene
Speaking about the legendary scene, Ewen MacIntosh revealed the inclusion of the Scotch egg was a last-minute change.
He said: "The props guy nipped out to Sainsbury’s to get some and it’s a good job he bought a lot because I went through them.
"We were reusing them by the end, turning them around to hide the bites because we did so many takes."
'Last' picture of beloved Office star
The final picture of actor Ewen MacIntosh was shared alongside a heartbreaking post about his health.
The actor last posted publicly on February 6, 2022 on X/Twitter.
In the post, he said: “Bad times for me I’m afraid chums. Stay strong out there.”
'Full of empathy, kindness and integrity'
Ewen MacIntosh's pal Ed Scott has shared an emotional tribute to the late star
Mr Scott, the CEO of Dodged A Bullet Music, said: "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."
All the latest as The Office star tragically passes away
- Ricky Gervais shared an emotional tribute to his co-star
- Ewen had opened up about his health battles previously
- Tributes pour in for The Office star
- A final photo of Ewen was taken just weeks on from his Afer Life cameo
Ewen’s roles away from The Office
While Ewan MacIntosh is best known for his role as Keith Bishop on The Office, he also starred in several other productions.
The actor teamed up with Gervais again in the final series of After Life, where he played “Buffet Man” – a man barred from an all-you-can-eat restaurant.
He also had roles in Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Miranda and Little Britain.
Keith Bishop's iconic scotch egg scene
Ewen MacIntosh appeared in The Office from its first series in 2001 until it ended two years later.
Perhaps his most iconic scene featured a scotch egg.
The scene infamously left co-star Martin Freeman in hysterics, forcing multiple retakes.
The legendary scene saw Ewen take huge bites from the pub snack while making inappropriate comments.
What was Ewen MacItonsh's cause of death?
The Office star's cause of death has not been confirmed.
But paying tribute to MacIntosh, his friend Ed Scott said: "Thanks to the incredible care and love provided by the wonderful medical staff and especially the nurses who all loved him when he brought a smile to their days."
He added: "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."
Gold honours late star
TV channel Gold has paid tribute to Ewen MacIntosh following his death aged 50.
It wrote: "We loved him as Keith in The Office and were lucky enough to work with him over the years on the channel.
"Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at such a difficult time."
Ewen's financial struggles
After his time on The Office, Ewen struggled to get roles and would go bankrupt in 2016.
In 2022, he would open up about his health battles.
Ewen wrote at the time: "Bad times for me I'm afraid chums. Stay strong out there."
Management confirms stars passing
A spokesperson from JustRight Management wrote: "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."
Heartbroken fans pay tribute
Fans of the Office have flooded social media with tributes to Ewen Maclntosh.
One fan wrote: "Very sad news today about the passing of Ewen MacIntosh.
"Will always be fondly remembered firstly as a great guy, but also as a key part of the greatest British sitcom of all time. An excellent legacy to leave. RIP"
While another said: "Ewen MacIntosh will forever be a legend."
Ewen MacIntosh opened up about his health battles
Ewen MacIntosh has passed away aged 50.
He earlier opened up on his health battles - revealing in 2022 he had been admitted to hospital.
Ewen wrote at the time: "Bad times for me I'm afraid chums. Stay strong out there."
Ricky Gervais pays tribute
Paying tribute to Ewen MacIntosh, Ricky Gervais wrote on X: "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."