2 months ago
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Fans of The Office are pledging to eat scotch eggs in Big Keith’s honour after news emerged this morning of actor Ewen MacIntosh's death.
Avid viewers of the BBC sitcom, which aired from 2001 to 2003, were left heartbroken at the news that MacIntosh had died aged 50.
For millions, he and his character - deadpan accountant 'Big Keith' Bishop, the office lackey with dreams of being a DJ - were one and the same.
In a fitting homage, fans have vowed to chomp on the character's trademark snack - a scotch egg.
Lord *rse wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'RIP Ewen Macintosh, probably best known as 'Big Keith' from The Office. Nobody ate a scotch egg quite like you.'
Ewen MacIntosh appeared in The Office from its first series in 2001, playing the role of an accountant 'Big Keith' with a passion for Scotch eggs
In a fitting homage, fans have vowed to chomp on the character's trademark snack - a scotch egg
In a fitting homage, fans have vowed to chomp on the character's trademark snack - a scotch egg - in memory of MacIntosh's performance
Fans reminisced over the Season 2 episode 'Charity', when Big Keith dressed as Ali G for Red Nose Day
'Big Keith' had a monotone answerphone message and wanted to become DJ over being an accountant
Raddleman posted: 'RIP Big Keith. I'm going to buy a scotch egg in remembrance.'
Adam Billing wrote: 'RIP Big Keith...amazing in the original Office series. Never looked at a Scotch Egg the same since!'
Tsvilla added: 'If it wasn’t for Ewen's portrayal of Big Keith and his delivery of his lines I wouldn’t have half the jokes I have today with my mates
'It’s officially National Scotch Egg day. RIP legend and thank you.'
Other fans reminisced over the Season 2 episode 'Charity', when Big Keith dressed as Ali G for Red Nose Day.
Daisy Bennett wrote: 'RIP Ewen MacIntosh aka Big Keith. I'm going to dress up as Ali G, have a Scotch Egg rewatch The Office as a tribute.'
The episode sees Keith - dressed in full hip-hop regalia - have one of his famously awkward heart-to-hearts, this time with Dawn (Lucy Davis) about her plans to move to the US, and how her admirer Tim (Martin Freeman) is now dating a woman called Rachel.
He end the conversation by taking a bite from a scotch egg.
MacIntosh appeared in The Office from its first series in 2001, playing the role of an accountant with a passion for Scotch eggs.
In one iconic scene from the show between Big Keith and Tim Canterbury (played by Martin Freeman), MacIntosh hilariously takes a large, slow bite out of a Scotch egg while Freeman discusses performing a sexual act on himself.
Ewen McIntosh is pictured in Murder in Suburbia in 2004 with Lisa Faulkner and Caroline Catz
Ewen Macintosh and actor Giles Vickers-Jones at the Ice Bar in London in January 2007
In an interview with Vice in 2021, MacIntosh joked that he had no idea why Scotch eggs were chosen as his signature food. 'The props guy nipped out and bought them last minute,' he revealed.
'Big Keith' had a monotone answerphone message and wanted to become DJ over being an accountant. Among his most memorable moments was when he dressed up as Ali G for Red Nose Day.
Despite a number of staff changes at the fictional Wernham Hogg paper firm, 'Keith' remained in the series until its last episode in 2003.
Out Of Office, The Office podcast, also said MacIntosh would 'always be fondly remembered firstly as a great guy, but also as a key part of the greatest British sitcom of all time. An excellent legacy to leave. RIP.'
As well as The Office, MacIntosh also partnered back up with Gervais when he starred in the final series of After Life as 'Buffet Man' - a bloke who had been barred from an all-you-can-eat restaurant.
TV channel Gold said: 'We loved him as Keith in The Office and were lucky enough to work with him over the years on the channel. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at such a difficult time.'
