Michael Reid (19th January 1940 – 29th July 2007) was an English comedian, actor, author and occasional television presenter. He played the role of Frank Butcher in the soap opera EastEnders and hosted the children's game show Runaround. He was known for his gravelly voice and strong London accent.
Michael Reid was born in Hackney in 1940, the son of Ellen Louvian (née Ives) and Sidney Reid. The Blitz caused his family to move to Tottenham where he attended Rowland Hill School. In 1958, he married his first wife, Sheila Axe, they had a son and a daughter together, their son died as an infant from a mouth infection. The couple divorced in 1967. Later he married his longtime live-in partner Shirley (née Allder) in 1971; they had twin sons Mark and Michael.
In 1990 he 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. Reid coped by ploughing himself into work, but he said years later "People must see me on the TV or in cabaret laughing, singing, cracking gags and imagine that time has healed the pain and the scars. If only they knew. My son is locked away (inside) - not forgotten, just hidden away in what part we keep our private grief. Otherwise I couldn't function."
Islington London
Hackney Empire bombed in 1940 by the German's blitz.
Mike Reid, who has died aged 67, made his name in 1979's 'The Comedians'
Blasphemy is a speech crime and religious crime usually defined as an utterance that shows contempt, disrespects or insults a deity, an object considered sacred or something considered inviolable. Some religions regard blasphemy as a religious crime, especially the Abrahamic religions, including insulting the prophet Muhammad in Islam, speaking the "sacred name" in Judaism, and the "eternal sin" in Christianity.
Reid was known to be opposed to plans to introduce blasphemy laws, for the effect this would have on satire, comedy and free speech. Reid was a friend of fellow actor and stand-up comedian Freddie Starr: together they introduced their sometime bodyguard, the bareknuckle fighter Lenny McLean, to acting. McLean went on to appear in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. During the 1970s, Reid was president of Chelmsford City.
Freddie Starr (born Frederick Leslie Fowell; 9th January 1943 – 9th May 2019) was an English stand up comedian, impressionist, singer and actor. Starr was the lead singer of Merseybeat rock and roll group the Midniters during the early 1960s, and came to prominence in the early 1970s after appearing on Opportunity Knocks and the Royal Variety Performance. In the 1990s, he starred in several television shows, including Freddie Starr (1993–1994), The Freddie Starr Show (1996–1998) and two episodes of An Audience with... in 1996 and 1997. In 1999, he presented the game show Beat the Crusher.
Who is bareknuckle fighter Lenny McLean?.
Leonard John McLean (9th April 1949 – 28th July 1998) was an English unlicensed boxer, bouncer, bodyguard, businessman and actor. He was known as "The Guv'nor", "the King of the Cobbles" and "the hardest man in Britain". McLean's pugilist reputation began in the East End of London in the late 1960s and was sustained through to the late 1980s. He stated in his autobiography that he had been involved in between 2,000 and 3,000 unlicensed fights. In his prime, the 6-foot-2-inch (188 cm) tall McLean weighed over 20 stone (280 lb; 130 kg) and was considered the "unofficial heavyweight champion of Great Britain".
Never Ever Upset Lenny Mclean
Never Ever Upset Lenny Mclean.
HMP Charles Bronson UK
Rare interview with Charles Bronson. Speaking from HMP Long Lartin 1989.
Along with being an unlicensed boxer, McLean was an enforcer in London's criminal underworld. As a respected and feared figure, he often associated with infamous criminals such as the Kray twins, Ronnie Biggs and Charles Bronson. He was also known in the London nightclub scene as a bouncer, where he often managed security. In his later life, McLean became an actor, and received praise for playing Barry the Baptist in Guy Ritchie's 1998 gangster comedy film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. He died in July 1998, shortly before the film's release
Fugitive: Ronnie Biggs with a fan on Copacabana Beach in 1977.
Ronald Kray (24 October 1933 – 17th March 1995) and Reginald Kray (24th October 1933 – 1st October 2000) were identical twin brothers, gangsters and murderers. They were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in the East End of London, England, from the late 1950s to 1967. With their gang, known as the Firm, the Kray twins were involved in murder, armed robbery, arson, protection rackets, gambling, and assaults.
KRAYS
In the 1960s, as West End nightclub owners, the Kray twins mixed with politicians and prominent entertainers such as Diana Dors, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. They became celebrities themselves, were photographed by David Bailey and interviewed on television.
KRAYS - Interview
The Kray twins were arrested on 8 May 1968 and convicted in 1969 as a result of the efforts of detectives led by Detective Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Read. Each was sentenced to life imprisonment. Ronnie was committed to Broadmoor Hospital in 1979 and remained there until his death on 17 March 1995 from a heart attack; Reggie was released from prison on compassionate grounds in August 2000, five weeks before he died of bladder cancer.
Reid's first work in entertainment was as a stand-up comedian in clubs and aboard cruise liners in the early 1960s. He then became an extra playing uncredited roles in television series such as Doctor Who (in the story The War Machines), The Saint and Department S. He was fired from working as Roger Moore's underwater stunt double in The Saint after drawing attention to Moore's thinning hair. He also worked as a stuntman for films such as Casino Royale (1967) and The Dirty Dozen (1967).
Diana Dors (born Diana Mary Fluck; 23 October 1931 – 4 May 1984) was an English actress and singer. Dors came to public notice as a blonde bombshell, much in the style of Americans Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren. Dors was promoted by her first husband, Dennis Hamilton, mostly in sex film-comedies and risqué modelling. After it was revealed that Hamilton had been defrauding her, she continued to play up to her established image, and she made tabloid headlines with the parties reportedly held at her house. Later, she showed talent as a performer on TV, in recordings, and in cabaret, and gained new public popularity as a regular chat-show guest. She also gave well-regarded film performances at different points in her career. According to David Thomson, "Dors represented that period between the end of the war and the coming of Lady Chatterley in paperback, a time when sexuality was naughty, repressed and fit to burst."
The War Machines
Roger Moore as Simon Templar in The Saint..
The Doctor and Dodo arrive in 1966 London where the Post Office Tower has just been completed and is home to WOTAN, a super computer capable of independent thought.
The Saint is a British mystery spy thriller television series that aired in the United Kingdom on ITV between 1962 and 1969. It was based on the literary character Simon Templar created by Leslie Charteris in the 1920s and featured in many novels over the years. In the television series, Templar was played by Roger Moore. Templar helps those whom conventional agencies are powerless or unwilling to protect, often using methods that skirt the law. Chief Inspector Claud Eustace Teal is his nominal nemesis who considers Templar a common criminal, but often grudgingly tolerates his actions for the greater good.
The Dirty Dozen Full Movie English 2020
The Dirty Dozen Full Movie English 2020
He then became one of the original stars of The Comedians, a popular TV series of the 1970s produced by Johnnie Hamp for the Manchester-based Granada Television, which consisted entirely of short slots by mature comedians. Being the only obviously London comic in a line-up made up predominately of Northern English and Northern Irish comedians, Reid stood out. As a comedian, Reid's well-known catchphrases included 'Terrific' (pronounced with the emphasis on each syllable), 'Turn It In' and 'Move Yer Arris'.
Mike Reid Live Uncensored part 1
He capitalised on his initial success with a one-off hit record, a novelty version of The Ugly Duckling recorded on Pye records. In 1975 it reached number 10 in the UK singles chart. In 1975 he also became the host of the ITV children's TV quiz show Runaround. Runaround ended in 1981.
MIKE REID THE UGLY DUCKLING ON A WIPED TOP OF THE POPS
Mike Reid - The Ugly Duckling - Top of The Pops 1975 HQ
In 1987, he joined the cast of popular BBC television soap opera EastEnders as Frank Butcher, for which he gained much popularity over the years. He initially joined the series as a semi-regular character, first appearing in September of that year, but was so popular that during 1988 he became a full-time cast member as his character became landlord of the Queen Vic pub, buying it from Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) during 1988. The part of Butcher earned Reid the public persona of being pessimistic that he enjoyed acting against, for instance in television adverts for the soft drink Oasis. His character was involved in many popular storylines over the years and the most famous of these storylines was his character's long turbulent relationship with Pat Wicks (played by Pam St. Clement) and later his short-lived marriage to Peggy Mitchell (played by Barbara Windsor).
Pamela Ann Clements (born 11th May 1942), known professionally as Pam St Clement, is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Pat Evans in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from June 1986 until January 2012, with a guest appearance in May 2016, thereby becoming one of the programme's longest-serving cast members.
Pam St. Clement with Mike Reid..
Leslie Michael Grantham (30th April 1947 – 15th June 2018) was an English actor, best known for his role as "Dirty" Den Watts in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He was a convicted murderer, having served 10 years for the killing of a West German taxi driver, and had significant press coverage resulting from an online sex scandal in 2004.
Albert Square's most notable pub may be called the Queen Victoria (or the Vic), but the ruler of that roost has been and always will be one Peggy Mitchell. She was clearly the true Queen of the pub! When someone crosses her, the petite woman would be known to utter her famous and withering catch-phrase, "Get outta my pub!" She not only ruled the roost at the Queen Vic, but she also ran Albert Square rather well. She is the mother of Phil, Grant and Samantha Mitchell, and was the head of the Mitchell family. She is also the grandmother of Ben Mitchell; Louise Mitchell; Courtney Mitchell and Ricky Mitchell. She is also the sister-in-law of Billy Mitchell (her first husband Eric and her third husband, Archie, were his brothers, and she also knew their brother, Charlie) and also was the auntie and later stepmother of fraternal twin sisters, Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell.
In April 1994, by which time the character of Frank Butcher was one of the most popular on British television, Reid took a long break from the show due to stress from acting out a depression storyline for the show. Later that year, he starred alongside other fellow EastEnders actors Barbara Windsor and John Altman in his classic adult pantomime Pussy in Boots, a spin-off of Puss in Boots where Reid played the main role of 'Big Dick'. Also in 1994, he provided a voiceover for one of the cows in the Anchor butter adverts. The advert was called "Anchor: Never Seen Anything Like It".
EastEnders - Frank Butcher's First Appearance (8th September 1987)
EastEnders - Frank Butcher's First Appearance (8th September 1987)
EastEnders 8 September 1987
EastEnders - Episode 268 - 8 September 1987
John Clarkson Stewart (born 2nd March 1952), known as John Altman, is an English actor and singer, perhaps best known for playing Nick Cotton in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. He was among the show's original cast members appearing in the first episode in February 1985 and appeared on the show on and off as a recurring character. His character was killed off in the 30th anniversary episode of the show which aired in February 2015. Altman has also appeared in several films, television series and stage productions. In 2010, he became the new frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids following the death of former frontman Gary Holton in 1985.
His return to EastEnders was aired on Christmas Day 1995. He was initially reintroduced as a recurring character and after several brief stints on the show, he returned as a full-time character in May 1998. His character was part of many big storylines over the next two years. At the beginning of 2000 it was reported that Reid was suffering from heart problems. In May 2000 he announced that he would be leaving the soap for good due to exhaustion from the long filming schedules. He was persuaded to stay on the show for a further five months to give his character a dramatic exit. His departure was aired on 2nd November 2000 when he famously departed after his affair with ex-wife Pat Evans was discovered by his current wife Peggy Mitchell. Also in 2000, he appeared in the popular British gangster film Snatch playing crooked diamond trader Doug "The Head" Denovitz. He went on to appear in several low-budget British films over the next few years such as Hey Mr DJ (2005), Moussakka and Chips (2005) as well as a Spanish film titled Oh Marbella (2003).
Soon after his exit from EastEnders, BBC bosses persuaded him to make a brief comeback to the show. He made brief returns to EastEnders in late January 2002 to appear in three episodes filmed in Spain, followed by a spin-off special episode titled "Perfectly Frank" in 2003 and made his final comeback to EastEnders for a few episodes in late 2005. In early 2006, he appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show and made it clear that he had no interest in any possible future re-appearances in EastEnders, and later that year he rejected another offer to return to the series.
He was semi-retired from show business by this time, and lived in a villa in Spain. He returned to acting in early 2007, appearing in two episodes of the long-running ITV police drama series The Bill where he played the part of corrupt businessman Brian Stevens. This was his last broadcast television appearance at that time, though he had filmed a reality series for ITV entitled The Baron before his death; the network was undecided as to whether it would be aired but the programme started airing on 24th April 2008 on ITV1. Reid was the eventual winner, facing off against Suzanne Shaw after the departure of the other contestant Malcolm McLaren. Reid was thus bestowed with the title of Baron of Troup, a genuine and hereditary barony, though one conveying no privilege aside from the use of the title itself. Reid had also completed filming as a gangster in the independent British film Jack Says four days before his death. The film was released on DVD on 22nd September 2008. His character, "The Guv'nor", also features in the graphic novel prequel Jack Said.
Reid died in Marbella, Spain, on 29 July 2007, aged 67. A heavy smoker, he was suspected of having suffered a heart attack. Two weeks before he died, he had received a full medical examination and been given a clean bill of health. The 30 July 2007 EastEnders episode featured a dedication to him following the end credits.
Reid's funeral was held on Tuesday 14th August 2007 at Little Easton Parish Church, Essex, and was attended by over 250 people, including his former EastEnders co-stars Pam St Clement, Sid Owen, Michael Greco, June Brown, Barbara Windsor, Sophie Lawrence, Bobby Davro and other members of the EastEnders cast. His body was cremated the following day at Chelmsford Crematorium, and his ashes were later buried in the graveyard of St Mary the Virgin Church at Little Easton, in Essex. Reid's family decided to allow fans to attend his funeral, and his widow Shirley also invited them to speak. Reid's former co-stars in EastEnders were all given the day off work to attend his funeral.
The Butcher family were an essential part of the EastEnders cast (Image: BBC)
Interior Westwards.
Little Easton - St Mary the Virgin
The parish church of Little Easton stands to the east of Easton Lodge. The walls are of flint rubble, with a few pieces of brick, possibly Roman, and stone dressings; the roofs are tiled. The nave was built early in the 12th century. The chancel was rebuilt and lengthened, and a south chapel added c. 1230. In the late 15th century the south chapel was rebuilt, and the west tower added. In the 19th century the church was restored, and the North Vestry and Organ-chamber were added. On the north wall inside the church is a painting of a seated figure with a halo around his head, dated from circa 1130. This is thought to depict an apostle: possibly even Christ. On the south wall another painting shows scenes from the Lord's Passion. The architectural canopies, costume and especially the armour depicted indicate 14th century work. The alabaster tomb of Sir Henry Maynard, his wife and their 10 children is magnificent. Six of the sons are depicted holding a skull in their hands, indicating they died before their parents. The western section of the north aisle comprises the American Chapel, a memorial to honour all the member of the United States Army Airforce's 386th Bombardment Group (M), known as 'The Crusaders' (1942-1945). For more than a year, from September 1943, their base was Great Dunmow Airfield, in the grounds of Easton Lodge.
St Mary the Virgin - Little Easton Parish Church, Essex
Sir Henry Maynard (1547–1610) was an English politician and secretary to Lord Burghley, and became (by steady accretion) a substantial landowner. Maynard was the son of John Maynard, who had been MP for St Albans in the first Parliament of Mary I of England in 1553–1554 (being one of the 39 members who absented themselves, rather than acknowledge the authority of the Pope), and his second wife, Dorothy, daughter of Robert Perrot. In 1595–96, he acquired the manor of Tooting Graveney from James Harrington. When the Queen visited in 1600, she was probably his guest.
Crusaders Window
Window of Friendship and Peace.
Wall painting
Interior eastwards.
Wall Painting.
Comedian and actor Mike Reid had the last laugh as mourners packed into his funeral. The 67-year-old's coffin was carried into Little Easton Parish Church, Essex, accompanied by his 1970s chart hit Ugly Duckling. His hearse, complete with a floral duck on the roof, arrived on Tuesday 14th August 2007 in a cortege followed by his close family. Dozens of his fans congregated outside to hear the service on speakers. Several past and present cast members of EastEnders - where Reid made his name as Frank Butcher - attended, including Barbara Windsor, June Brown, Pam St Clement, Sid Owen and Michael Greco. Ex-boxer Henry Cooper, soccer agent Eric Hall and comedians Bobby Davro and Russ Abbot were also among the mourners.
Sid Owen (born David Sutton; 12th January 1972) is an English actor, television presenter and former singer, who played Ricky Butcher in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders on and off since 1988. He also appeared in the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing and made a cameo performance in the British cult show How Clean is Your House in 2005.
Michael Grecko in 1998.
Michael Greco (born 12th November 1970) is a British actor and poker player. He is best known for his role as Beppe di Marco in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he played for four years between 1998 and 2002. In summer 2006 he finished filming the leading role in the independent feature film Naked in London, opposite another ex-EastEnder Jake Maskall.
Greco is a keen poker player.
He appeared in the 2005 Poker Million, World Speed Poker Open and Monte Carlo Millions, as well as for Team Italy in the PartyPoker.com Football & Poker Legends Cup. Greco made the Grand Final of the 2006 Showbiz Poker event. He finished second when his K♦ Q♦ made two pair on the 8♦ Q♥ K♠ flop, but the 4♥ 10♣ that followed allowed Norman Pace to complete his straight from his A♦ J♣ hole cards. He also finished second to Pace in the semi-final round and in the celebrity heat of the PartyPoker.com World Open. His total live tournament winnings exceed $1,114,297.
Sir Henry Cooper OBE KSG (3rd May 1934 – 1st May 2011) was a British heavyweight boxer. He was undefeated in British and Commonwealth heavyweight championship contests for twelve years and held the European heavyweight title for three years. In a 1963 fight against a young Cassius Clay, he knocked Clay down before the fight was stopped because of a cut to his eye. In 1966 he fought Clay, who was then world heavyweight champion, for a second time and again lost to an eye injury. Cooper was twice voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year and, after retiring in 1971 following a controversial loss to Joe Bugner, remained a popular public figure. He is the only British boxer to have been awarded a knighthood.
Robert Christopher Nankeville, known professionally as Bobby Davro (born 13th September 1958), is an English actor and comedian. He made his television debut in 1981 followed by breakthrough in Live from Her Majesty's (1983); this was followed by appearances on the television show Copy Cats. Between 2007 and 2008, Davro played Vinnie Monks in the BBC One soap EastEnders. He participated in Dancing on Ice in 2010, and took part in Your Face Sounds Familiar in 2013. Over the years, he has appeared in pantomime many times.
Russ Abbot (born Russell Allan Roberts; 18 September 1947) is an English musician, comedian and actor. Born in Chester, he first came to public notice during the 1970s as the singer and drummer with British comedy showband the Black Abbots, later forging a prominent solo career as a television comedian with his own weekly show on British television. Continuing his musical career as a solo artist, Abbot released several charting singles and albums. His career has continued with a shift into more mainstream serious acting in television shows, series, and stage productions.
Russ Abbot in Star Trek The Sketch
Russ Abbot in Star Trek The Sketch
Eric Hall (11th November 1947 – 16th November 2020) was a British show business and football agent known for his flamboyant public persona, quick wit, unique fashion sense, and the catchphrase "Monster, monster ..
Dennis Wise and Barbara Windsor with Eric.
In 1986, a chance meeting with Steve Perryman led to him becoming a football agent, and within 10 years he had built up a roster of about 40 well-known clients, including John Fashanu, Robbie Savage, Tim Sherwood, John Scales, Neil Ruddock, Dave Beasant, Paul Walsh, Dennis Wise, and England team manager Terry Venables. As an agent, Hall helped raise the status of footballers, negotiating for large salaries, appearance fees, branding rights and other commercial bonuses. Hall fell out with John Fashanu over his decision to help his brother Justin sell his story to a national tabloid newspaper, in which he came out as gay. Fashanu was outraged and the pair never spoke again.
After an early career as a singer (he sang backing vocals for Tiny Tim) and actor, in the early 1970s Hall became a publicist for EMI Records. There, he worked in the Artists and Repertoire department, where he met and befriended Freddie Mercury, he also claimed the song, "Killer Queen" was written about him, despite Mercury stating it was about a call girl. Hall arranged the Sex Pistols' infamous, expletive-filled appearance on the Today television show in 1976 presented by Bill Grundy. Hall grew up in Bethnal Green in the East End of London, and was a friend of Marc Bolan. He had been with Bolan earlier on the night of the singer's death in a car crash in 1977. Hall was once tea boy to Elton John and also worked PR in the music business, promoting Frank Sinatra, the Sex Pistols, T-Rex, Queen, Steve Harley and the Bay City Rollers.
In 1997, Hall had a health scare when he was admitted to hospital for what at the time was believed to be E.coli poisoning and septicaemia; he spent eight weeks in a coma. Later, a blood specialist diagnosed him with the blood disorder Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Hall died on 16 November 2020, at the age of 73, after contracting COVID-19.
Eric (far right) pictured with the band Queen.
Russ Abbot in Snooker
Russ Abbot masterbrain sketch
Russ Abbot masterbrain sketch
Russ Abbot in Snooker.
Mike Reid's Grave - Famous Graves - Eastenders star & Comedian
Mike Reid's Grave - Famous Graves - Eastenders star & Comedian.
David Timothy Scarboro (3rd February 1968 – 27th April 1988) was an English actor, best known for portraying Mark Fowler in the British soap opera EastEnders from the programme's inception in February 1985 until that April before appearing intermittently between 1986 and 1987.
Scarboro made his acting debut in Good Neighbours, a television drama that aired on BBC in 1984 as part of a series of standalone teleplays for the anthology series Scene. In the same year he appeared as a member of troublemaker Gluxo Remington's gang in episodes of the school drama series Grange Hill. The script in his first episode called for Scarboro's character to chase Samuel "Zammo" McGuire across a children's playground in a park, and at one point jump over a see-saw. Following the jump, Scarboro accidentally stumbled and nearly fell — but somehow managed to right himself and keep going. He was really pleased that the scene was thought to look good and retained in the finished programme.
David Scarboro with Wendy Richard.
From its inception in February 1985 until April of that same year, Scarboro played the part of Mark Fowler in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The actor did not respond well to the sudden fame the role brought him, and later became very concerned when the writers decided that the character of Mark should become a racist. Things came to a head one day when the script called for a scene where Mark was to deliver racist abuse to Paul J. Medford's character, Kelvin Carpenter. Scarboro firmly refused to play the scene. After this it was decided he should leave the show. His character was abruptly written out of the storyline; one morning his family arose to discover he had secretly moved away during the night. Mark was not seen nor heard from for several months.
Scene: My Brother David - Documentary by Simon Scarboro (1989)
In December 1985, Scarboro briefly returned to the series in a storyline where Mark was reunited with his parents. His parents had travelled to visit him in Southend-on-Sea where he had settled with an older woman who had children from an earlier relationship. Scarboro subsequently returned for brief stints in 1986 and 1987, but never returned to the series on a permanent or on-going basis. Scarboro's last appearance in the series was in the episode aired on Christmas Day, 1987.
Scene: My Brother David - Documentary by Simon Scarboro (1989)
Eastenders - All David Scarboro Appearances As Mark Fowler Part 1
Eastenders - All David Scarboro Appearances As Mark Fowler Part 1
Elements of the UK tabloid press reported that Scarboro had been fired from the show for turning up late for filming and being unco-operative on set. Away from the series, Scarboro initiated libel proceedings after several national papers published inaccurate stories about his private life, but the press continued to pursue him and his family. The News of the World discovered that Scarboro was in a psychiatric unit, and published photographs of the place. Scarboro subsequently left the unit because he could no longer get adequate treatment, and inaccurate stories about his condition were being published.
Eastenders - All David Scarboro Appearances As Mark Fowler Part 2
Scarboro was found dead at the bottom of Beachy Head on 27th April 1988. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Tatsfield, Surrey. At the inquest into his death, the coroner gave an open verdict. A 1988 BBC documentary made by Scene about his life titled My Brother David was presented by his brother Simon. Scarboro's parents left the UK after their son's death.
Eastenders - All David Scarboro Appearances As Mark Fowler Part 2
Beachy Head & Seven Sisters May 12th 2019.
Gemma Rose Veronica McCluskie (5th February 1983 – 1st March 2012) was a British television actress. Her most notable role was in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, in which she played Kerry Skinner. In March 2012, McCluskie disappeared from her home in East London; a few days later, her dismembered body was discovered in the Regent's Canal. In January 2013, her brother, Tony McCluskie, was found guilty of her murder
Obsessive Tony McCluskie, 36, regularly subjected the 29-year-old to savage beatings and mental torment while out of his mind on powerful skunk cannabis. EastEnders star Gemma lived in permanent fear of the jealous thug who had terrorised her since she was a child. "He would beat her and mentally torture her, calling her all kinds of awful things. "She would wear sunglasses because of the black eyes he gave her and there was bruises up her arms where he attacked her repeatedly. "It was like he felt he owned her and he tried to control her. The abuse had gone on ever since she was a kid. More than 20 years of sickening abuse at the hands of her brutal drug addict brother, resulted in her murder..
Tony was incredibly possesive similar to fictional character Tony Montana. Where ever Gemma went Tony was following and checking up on her every move..He was very controlling and jealous of everyone who made contact with her..When out Tony would keep her very close and hated his sister seeing boys nevermind dating.
Murderer Tony McCluskie has his arms around Gemma..
Tony McCluskie
Window cleaner McCluskie’s shocking violence towards his sister culminated in the fatal attack at the family flat in Shoreditch, East London, when she finally flipped and told him to leave. He spent three hours dismembering her with a knife and meat cleaver before lugging her remains in a suitcase to a taxi, which was caught on CCTV, then dumping them in the nearby Regent’s Canal. Her body parts were found at the beginning of March last year 2012, a week after she was murdered.
Shoreditch, London
Shoreditch High Street is home to some excellent street art | © Nicola Ferrari / Alamy Stock Photo
McCluskie went missing from her East London flat, where she lived with her brother Tony, on 1st March 2012. She was seen at home with her brother that afternoon, and a subsequent investigation found that she had entered a kebab shop around 8 pm. A search party of 100 people was organised by McCluskie's cousins on 5th March, which spread out from the east and south of London, attempting to discover information related to McCluskie's disappearance.
Shoreditch Street Art East London.
A headless torso was found in the Regents Canal on 6th March. The police announced that the torso had been formally identified as McCluskie. On 10th March, a 35-year-old male (later identified as her brother, Tony McCluskie) was charged with her murder. He appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court on 12th March and a preliminary hearing was set for 26th March at the Old Bailey. On 10 September, police found a severed head in the same stretch of canal. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the head was McCluskie's two days later. McCluskie's funeral was held on 30th November at St Monica's Roman Catholic Church, Hoxton Square, East London.
Wentworth Street fox art Shoreditch East London.
Boris the Clown A-Street art-mural-on-Fashion-Street-Shorditch London.
This art can be found on London Street.
Lostmonkey 2013: 'Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil' in Heneage street, off Brick Lane, Spitalfields, London. | © Eden Breitz / Alamy Stock Photo
Colourful graffiti on walls in Brick Lane, East London. | © Jason Bryan / Alamy Stock Photo.
7 BEST SHOREDITCH STREET ART | SHOREDITCH EAST LONDON STREET ART COOL LONDON STREET ART TOUR
7 BEST SHOREDITCH STREET ART | SHOREDITCH EAST LONDON STREET ART COOL LONDON STREET ART TOUR
SHOREDITCH WALKING TOUR IN LONDON | Old Street | Hoxton Square | Shoreditch High Street | Street Art
The trial began on 14th January 2013 at the Old Bailey. During the trial, it was reported that Tony McCluskie was a heavy cannabis user and that the siblings frequently argued. On the 1st of March 2012, he allegedly argued with his sister about an overflowing bath. She told him to leave, and he then grabbed her by the wrists and punched her to the floor, but claimed he had no further recollection of his actions. Her death was caused by several blows to the head with a blunt instrument. He spent several hours dismembering her body. CCTV footage showed him carrying a suitcase the next day; the suitcase contained her remains, which he disposed of in the Regents Park Canal. McCluskie initially admitted manslaughter, but denied murder, citing a "loss of control". He was found guilty of her murder on 30th January 2013 and jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 20 years. A 2017 episode of Crimes That Shook Britain covered McCluskie's murder.
SHOREDITCH WALKING TOUR IN LONDON | Old Street | Hoxton Square | Shoreditch High Street | Street Art
London - Regent Canal.
Regent’s Canal runs through the heart of King’s Cross. This nine-mile waterway flows quietly through our capital, from the River Thames at Limehouse to Paddington. People still live along the canal and the mix of boat moorings, heritage buildings and a connection to nature make for a charming setting.
![Relaxing London Walk on a Sunday | Camden Town, Canals and Regents Park [4K HDR]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4FAVs79ICmE/maxresdefault.jpg)
Relaxing London Walk on a Sunday | Camden Town, Canals and Regents Park [4K HDR]
Relaxing London Walk on a Sunday | Camden Town, Canals and Regents Park [4K HDR]