Police launch probe into death of Blackadder and Maid Marian star, 76, whose family claim he was killed by an NHS drugs overdose

  • Police are investigating the death of British Blackadder actor Howard Lew Lewis
  • Mr Lewis' family claim he was killed by a drug overdose administered by the NHS 
  • He was known to fans as 'Lewy' and died on January 20 this year at the age of 76

Police are investigating the death of actor and comedian Howard Lew Lewis after his family claimed he was killed by a drugs overdose administered by NHS medics.

The 76-year-old – who starred in television classics Maid Marian And Her Merry Men, Brush Strokes and Blackadder – died last week at Ellen's Glen House, a community hospital in Edinburgh.

Police have now launched an investigation after his daughter claimed Mr Lewis had been needlessly placed on a regime of high-dose sedatives and maximum-strength opiate painkillers. 

Medical experts have also questioned the apparently 'inappropriate' treatment.

Howard Lew Lewis (left as Mr Applebottom in Blackadder) died last week at a community hospital in Scotland 

Howard Lew Lewis (left as Mr Applebottom in Blackadder) died last week at a community hospital in Scotland 

Howard Lew Lewis starred in television classics Maid Marian and Her Merry Men (pictured)

Howard Lew Lewis starred in television classics Maid Marian and Her Merry Men (pictured)

Howard Lew Lewis was photographed with daughter Deborah in care home in Edinburgh

Howard Lew Lewis was photographed with daughter Deborah in care home in Edinburgh

Debora Milazzo, 42, said: 'My dad was killed by the NHS. Justice needs to be done. My father kept so strong for so long and it was only the new medication that killed him.' 

Mr Lewis, or 'Lewy' as he was known to fans, was in the early stages of dementia and died on January 20 at Ellen's Glen House. 

'Medical records show that nurses changed his drug regime on December 24.

Alfentanil, an opiate 30 times the strength of oral morphine, was pumped through a line in combination with Midazolam, a sedative that prevents the creation of new memories.

One former senior NHS executive said that this combination of drugs would only be appropriate for a patient 'in the terminal phase of a malignant disease'.

But Ms Milazzo insisted last night that her father had not received a terminal diagnosis.

Mr Lewis, or 'Lewy' (pictured as Elmo in Brush Strokes) as he was known to fans, was in the early stages of dementia 

Mr Lewis, or 'Lewy' (pictured as Elmo in Brush Strokes) as he was known to fans, was in the early stages of dementia 

Police have now launched an investigation after his daughter claimed Mr Lewis (pictured in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men) had been placed on a regime of high-dose sedatives

Police have now launched an investigation after his daughter claimed Mr Lewis (pictured in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men) had been placed on a regime of high-dose sedatives

From 1989 to 1994, the actor, born in London, played Rabies (pictured) in the television show 

From 1989 to 1994, the actor, born in London, played Rabies (pictured) in the television show 

Howard Lew Lewis, pictured left, starred in television classics Maid Marian And Her Merry Men, Brush Strokes and Blackadder

Howard Lew Lewis, pictured left, starred in television classics Maid Marian And Her Merry Men, Brush Strokes and Blackadder

'My father didn't have cancer, he didn't have heart disease,' she said. 'They suddenly just changed his medication and it was the new medication that killed him.'

Dr Tracey Gillies, medical director of NHS Lothian Trust, 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.' 

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