Blackadder actor Howard Lew Lewis was 'killed by NHS', claims family

Actor Howard Lew Lewis, famous for his role in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, died of an administered overdose, according to his family.

Known affectionately as ‘Lewy’, the 76-year-old died on 20 January after being treated for dementia at Ellen’s Glen House.

The star passed away at a community hospital in Edinburgh after suffering from the disease. However, his surviving family have now accused the hospital of directly causing his death after altering his medication just before Christmas.

Lewis’ daughter Deborah Milazzo, 42, told the Daily Mail that the staff of the hospital were responsible, saying: ‘My dad was killed by the NHS.’

According to the paper, Lewis was given a combination of Alfentanil, which is around 30 times the strength of oral morphine, and Midazolam, which is used as a sedative during end-of-life care.

A former NHS executive stated that these drugs would only be administered to a person ‘in the terminal phase of a malignant disease.’ Despite Lewis never having received said terminal diagnosis, he was reportedly given the fatal drug combination anyway.

Medical director of NHS Lothian Trust, Dr Tracey Gillies, said: ‘It would not be appropriate to discuss any details from his medical record.

‘If the family have concerns or questions, they should contact us.’

While Scottish police are reported to be investigating the death, no one is able to confirm an official investigation is underway.

As well as appearing in the classic British comedy Blackadder, Lewis also featured in Open All Hours, The Two Ronnies, The Bill, Casualty, and Maid Marian; as well as movies Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Chaplin, and Quills.

Read more:
Disney star arrested for multiple robberies
Ed Sheeran declared dead by Norwegian newspaper
TMNT spotted admiring artwork of namesake