Overview
- Keating's death was announced on X by publisher Cult Edge and confirmed to news outlets by his agent, Dan Ireson, on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
- He was 79 and best known for playing Vila Restal in Blake's 7 and Reverend George Stevens on EastEnders, with Vila the only character to appear in all 52 televised episodes of Blake's 7.
- Producers and co‑workers at Big Finish, who worked with Keating on Blake's 7 audio dramas, paid tribute to his comic timing and warm presence in the studio.
- No cause of death, detailed family statement, or public funeral arrangements have been released as of the latest reports.
- Keating began his professional acting career in the 1960s, worked extensively on stage and screen, and his passing has prompted a wave of fan memories and renewed interest in his Blake's 7 and audio work.