British actor Michael Keating has died at the age of 79, according to multiple reports. Keating was best known for his television work, including a long-running role in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, where he played Reverend George Stevens. One outlet reports that he appeared in 50 episodes of EastEnders between 2005 and 2017. Keating also had a notable part in the science-fiction series Blake’s 7, playing Vila Restal. Across more than four decades, he appeared in a range of other British television programmes, building a career described by sources as extensive and widely appreciated. Following the announcement of his death, fans and colleagues have paid tribute to him, highlighting his contributions to British TV and the characters he portrayed. The reports agree on his age at death and on his key roles in EastEnders and Blake’s 7, while adding that he was a familiar presence on television over several decades.