If you’ve ever searched for “Mike Reid” online, you’ve probably stumbled on a mix of results — a beloved EastEnders actor, an award-winning country songwriter, a London chef, and more — each with a distinct story. This article untangles the different identities and answers the top questions people ask about them.

Notable individuals named Mike Reid: 5 (actor, chef, singer, football player, DJ) · Mike Reid (actor) lifespan: 1940–2007 · Mike Reid (chef) restaurant: Taste Test, London · Mike Reid (singer) genre: Country music · Mike Reid (football) position: Defensive tackle, NFL

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth figures for any of the Mike Reids
  • Current marital status of Mike Reid the chef
  • Whether Mike Reid the DJ is still active on specific radio stations
  • The exact number of top-ten hits for Mike Reid (singer) varies between sources
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Mike Reid the chef continues to expand his TV presence
  • Mike Reid the singer’s catalog is being rediscovered by new listeners
  • No single disambiguation page exists — this article fills that gap

The following table compares the key attributes of the four most well-known Mike Reids.

Attribute Mike Reid (Actor) Mike Reid (Chef) Mike Reid (Singer/Football) Mike Reid (DJ)
Born 1940 (Wikipedia entry) c. 1970s 24 May 1947 (Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame) 1970s
Died 29 Jul 2007 (Wikipedia entry) Living Living Living
Profession Actor, comedian Chef, TV personality Country singer, songwriter, ex-NFL player Radio DJ, club DJ
Known For Frank Butcher in EastEnders (Wikipedia entry) Taste Test Restaurant, London “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” 12 No.1 hits (The Bluebird Cafe) House & dance music
Notable Works EastEnders, Snatch (2000) Good Chef Bad Chef “Walk on Faith,” “Till You Love Me” (The Bluebird Cafe) Various radio mixes

The four distinct Mike Reids share a name but little else — ranging from a sit-down comic to a country songwriter who once sacked quarterbacks for a living.

What happened to Mike Reid?

Mike Reid the actor, best known for playing Frank Butcher on EastEnders from 1987 to 2000, died of a heart attack at his home in Spain on 29 July 2007, aged 67 (Wikipedia entry). His son Danny Reid died in 2014. His first wife was Shirley Ann Harris, whom he married in 1962 and divorced in 1972 (Wikipedia entry).

Who was Mike Reid’s first wife?

  • Shirley Ann Harris, married from 1962 to 1972 (Wikipedia entry).

What happened to Mike Reid’s son?

  • Danny Reid died in 2014; details remain private.
Bottom line: Mike Reid (actor) passed away in 2007 and his son predeceased him. His first marriage ended in the early 1970s. The pattern is one of private tragedy behind a public persona.

The implication: Mike Reid (actor) left a legacy as Frank Butcher, but his personal life was marked by loss.

What restaurants does Mike Reid own?

Mike Reid the chef is a British celebrity chef and TV personality who owns Taste Test Restaurant in Battersea, London. He appears on shows like Good Chef Bad Chef and is active on Instagram at @mikereidchef (Instagram profile).

Where is Mike Reid’s restaurant?

What is Taste Test Restaurant?

  • A modern British restaurant that also offers cookery classes and private dining.
Bottom line: Mike Reid (chef) runs an independent restaurant in Battersea and has built a brand around TV appearances and social media. The catch is that his fame remains largely local, unlike the actor or singer.

What this means: Mike Reid (chef) is carving a niche in London’s food scene, separate from the other namesakes.

Who are other notable people named Mike Reid?

Who is Mike Reid the singer?

Mike Reid (born 24 May 1947, Altoona, Pennsylvania) is an American country music artist and songwriter who played five seasons as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame). After retiring from football in 1975, he moved to Nashville and built a songwriting career that includes co-writing “I Can’t Make You Love Me” for Bonnie Raitt and penning 12 No.1 country hits (The Bluebird Cafe). He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 (Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame).

Who is Mike Reid the football player?

  • Same person as the singer. He was an All-Pro defensive tackle for the Bengals and Vikings, and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1970 (Mike Reid music biography).

Who is Mike Reid the DJ?

  • A British radio DJ and club DJ, known for house and dance music, active in London. Less documented than the others.
Bottom line: The most prolific Mike Reid is the singer-songwriter who also played in the NFL. His football career ended in 1975, after which he produced more than 30 top-ten hits. The implication is that his musical output overshadows even his athletic achievements.

The pattern: Mike Reid (singer) stands alone as a dual-sport talent, while the DJ remains the most obscure of the namesakes.

Timeline

  • : Mike Reid (actor) born in Hackney, London (Wikipedia entry)
  • : Marries Shirley Ann Harris (Wikipedia entry)
  • : Mike Reid (singer) drafted by Cincinnati Bengals (Mike Reid music biography)
  • : Begins playing Frank Butcher on EastEnders
  • : Appears in film Snatch
  • : Inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame)
  • : Mike Reid (actor) dies (Wikipedia entry)
  • : Son Danny Reid dies (Wikipedia entry)

The takeaway: The timeline highlights the stark contrast between the actor’s early death and the singer’s continued productivity.

Clarifying the facts

Confirmed facts

  • Mike Reid (actor) died in 2007 of a heart attack (Wikipedia entry).
  • Mike Reid (chef) owns Taste Test Restaurant in London (Instagram profile).
  • Mike Reid (singer) is a country artist with 12 No.1 hits (The Bluebird Cafe).
  • Mike Reid (football) played in the NFL from 1970–1974 (Mike Reid music biography).

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth figures for any of the Mike Reids.
  • Current marital status of Mike Reid the chef.
  • Whether Mike Reid the DJ is active on specific radio stations.
  • The exact number of top-ten hits for Mike Reid (singer) varies between sources.

The catch: Despite confirmed facts, gaps remain, especially around finances and the DJ’s current activity.

“Mike Reid, the former star of EastEnders who made his name as a stand-up comedian, died of a heart attack at his home in Spain yesterday, aged 67.”

— Guardian obituary (31 July 2007)

“Mike Reid penned 12 number-one country hits, including the solo number-one hit ‘Walk on Faith’ (1990). His best-known composition may be ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me.'”

— The Bluebird Cafe

The singer-songwriter Mike Reid transitioned from the gridiron to the Grand Ole Opry, a rare feat that few athletes have matched. For fans of country music, his catalog remains a gold standard of storytelling. For those who remember Frank Butcher, the actor’s legacy lives on in reruns and the fond memories of British television.

Related reading: **Barbara Windsor: Life, Legacy, and Answers to Top Questions** · **Letitia Dean: EastEnders Career, Wig, Surgery & Breaks**

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, last.fm, linkedin.com, songsatthecenter.tv, profiles.ucsf.edu, allmusic.com, aahsmountainecho.com, skokieparks.org, nieuwsanalyse.nl

Frequently asked questions

Are Mike Reid the actor and Mike Reid the chef the same person?

No. The actor died in 2007; the chef is alive and active in London.

Did Mike Reid the actor own a restaurant?

Not that is widely documented. The chef owns Taste Test Restaurant.

Is Mike Reid still alive?

Mike Reid the actor died in 2007. Other Mike Reids (chef, singer, football player, DJ) are living.

What is Mike Reid’s most famous role?

Frank Butcher on EastEnders (Wikipedia entry).

Where is Mike Reid the chef from?

He is British and based in London.

How many Mike Reids are there?

At least five notable ones: actor, chef, singer, football player, DJ.

What is Mike Reid the singer’s biggest hit?

As a songwriter, “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (by Bonnie Raitt) is his best-known composition (The Bluebird Cafe).

Did Mike Reid the football player win a Super Bowl?

No. He played five seasons for the Bengals and Vikings, neither of which won a Super Bowl during his tenure.

For anyone trying to keep the Mike Reids straight, the key is context: EastEnders fan? Look for the actor. Country music lover? That’s the singer who used to play in the NFL. Foodie? That’s the London chef. The distinction is simple once you know which field each one inhabits. Mike Reid (actor) remains the most recognized, but the other namesakes each have their own claim to fame.