Ricky Gervais looked dejected when he was seen for the first time in Hampstead since the death of Ewen MacIntosh on Wednesday.
The actor and comedian, 62, led heartfelt tributes to The Office star after his shock death was announced on Wednesday morning.
Ewen, best known as egg-loving Scottish accountant ‘Big Keith’ in Ricky’s hit BBC comedy The Office, has died aged 50; The cause of his death has not been revealed.
The Welsh actor, who has also appeared in British comedies such as After Life, Miranda and Little Britain, shared a photo of himself in hospital in February 2022 and told his fans that he was having a “bad time”.
Ricky went for a brisk walk after hearing the heartbreaking news with his headphones on and music playing.
Ricky Gervais looked dejected when he was seen for the first time in Hampstead since the death of Ewen MacIntosh on Wednesday.
The actor and comedian led heartfelt tributes to The Office star after his shocking death was announced on Wednesday morning (Ricky pictured with Ewen in The Office)
Ewen, best known as egg-loving Scottish accountant ‘Big Keith’ in Ricky’s hit BBC comedy The Office, has died aged 50; The cause of his death has not been revealed.
The actor seemed excited when he was seen alone and tried to keep a low profile in a gray baseball cap.
Despite the huge success of The Office, Ewen filed for bankruptcy in 2016. After this, big acting roles became limited and he found a new source of income, making special videos as Keith on websites like Cameo during Covid.
The cause of his death has not been confirmed, but friends praised the “empathy and incredible care” of the medical staff and nurses.
Ewen, who is survived by his parents and brother, is believed to have never been married or had children.
Ricky, who played David Brent and created the comedy, paid a heartfelt tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He wrote: ‘Extremely sad news. The very funny and charming Ewen Macintosh, known to many as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office, has died. An absolute original. RIP.’
Talent agency JustRight Management confirmed the star’s tragic death in a statement that read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh.
“His family thanks everyone who supported him, especially Willow Green Care Home.”
Ricky went for a brisk walk after hearing the heartbreaking news with his headphones on and music playing.
The actor seemed excited when he was seen alone and tried to keep a low profile with a gray baseball cap on.
Ricky, who played David Brent and created the comedy, paid a heartfelt tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He wrote: ‘Extremely sad news. The very funny and charming Ewen Macintosh, known to many as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office, has died. An absolute original. RIP’
The Welsh actor, who also appeared in British comedies such as After Life, Miranda and Little Britain, shared a photo of himself in hospital in February 2022 and told his fans that he was having ‘bad times’.
Confirming the tragic news, Ewen’s friend Ed Scott wrote: “I am completely devastated by the loss of my very good friend Ewen MacIntosh.
“It may have had a famous face known to millions like Keith from The Office, but the person inside is what I will remember most.”
Dodged A Bullet Music CEO Scott added: “Ewen was full of empathy, kindness and integrity and above all, he was 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.”
Matt Lucas also shared a heartfelt tribute, writing: “So sad to hear of the passing of Ewen MacIntosh. We were lucky enough to have him appear in ‘Little Britain’. He was sweet, smart, humble and, of course, tremendously funny.
Talk TV presenter Lizzie Cundy praised Ewen as a “lovely man inside and out” as she paid him a touching tribute.
She wrote: “I am devastated to hear that my dear friend Ewen Macintosh has passed away. We were great friends and danced together in Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas video. Such a lovely man inside and out… Love and prayers for his family.’
Ewen appeared on The Office since its first series in 2001, playing the role of an accountant with a passion for scotch eggs.
Confirming the tragic news, his friend Ed Scott wrote: “I am completely devastated by the loss of my very good friend Ewen MacIntosh.”
Matt Lucas also shared a heartfelt tribute, writing: “So sad to hear of the passing of Ewen MacIntosh. We were lucky enough to have him appear in ‘Little Britain’. He was sweet, smart, humble and, of course, tremendously funny.
Talk TV presenter Lizzie Cundy praised Ewen as a “lovely man inside and out” as she paid him a touching tribute.
In an interview with Vice in 2021, Ewen joked that he had no idea why Scotch eggs were chosen as his signature meal. “The prop guy ran out and bought them at the last minute,” she revealed.
Despite a series of staff changes at the fictional paper mill Wernham Hogg, ‘Keith’ remained on the series until its final episode in 2003.
Out Of Office, The Office podcast, also said Ewen “will always be fondly remembered, firstly as a great guy, but also as a key part of the greatest British comedy of all time.” An excellent legacy to leave. RIP.’
As well as The Office, Ewen also teamed up with Gervais again when he starred in the latest series of After Life as ‘Buffet Man’, a guy who had been banned from an all-you-can-eat restaurant.