Anecdotes

Was fired from his role as Roger Moore's underwater stunt double in Le Saint (1962) after making fun of the actor's thinning hair.

He was a stuntman on films such as Spartacus (1960) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968).Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 hours 11 minutes (1965)_.

After working as a stand-up comedian in clubs and on board cruise liners, he worked as a film extra and stunt driver, working on films such as Casino Royale (1967), Les bas quartiers (1968) and Les douze salopards (1967).

Owed £900,000 at the time of his death, which meant that creditors took all his money.

Ranked #21 in The 100 Greatest EastEnders (1985) Characters of All Time for his performance as Frank Butcher (2015).

He was a heavy smoker.

As of 2018 he is the 6th-longest serving actor in the history of EastEnders (1985) (tied with Todd Carty, and behind only Adam Woodyatt, Steve McFadden, Perry Fenwick, Sid Owen and Rudolph Walker), having played the character Frank Butcher on and off for 13 years (initially from 1987 to 2000, with brief appearances in 2002 and 2005).

Father to Michael Reid (b. 1962) and Mark Edward Reid (December 28, 1965-June 1990) via second wife Shirley Collins.

Served in the merchant navy.

Became a father for the second time at age 21 when his first wife Sheila gave birth to their daughter Jane Hall in December 1961.

As youth he was sent to approved school and borstal for fighting and stealing cars.

The character Dave Angel, Eco-Warrior portrayed by Simon Day on BBC's The Fast Show (1994), is based on Mike Reid's character from EastEnders (1985).

Died just three weeks after filming Jack Says (2008), which has since been dedicated in his memory.

Ranked #13 in the 100 Greatest EastEnders (1985) Characters of All Time for her performance as Frank Butcher (2010).

Made a former girlfriend pregnant when they were just fourteen but she underwent a back-street abortion. His second wife Shirley also aborted their baby in 1963 shortly after the birth of their son, Michael.

In 1990, Reid suffered tragedy when his son Mark committed suicide by dousing himself with petrol after years of suffering with mental health problems. Just four months after Mark's death, Mark's daughter died from cot death.

He wrote an autobiography titled T'rific.

Son of Sidney (1912-1971) and Ellen (née Ives) Reid (1914-1992).

Became a father for the first time at age eighteen when his first wife Sheila gave birth to their son in May 1958. The child died five days later of a mouth infection.

Grandfather to Kirsty Anne Reid (25 January 1990 - 4 July 1990), who died of cot death, via son Mark.

In February 2000 he was forced to take time off from "EastEnders" as he was suffering from heart problems and severe exhaustion.