© Dan Wooller
Scotland Yard was reportedly contacted by officers in Sussex yesterday morning (17 July) and told that the body of a man matching his description had been found near the cliffs last Friday.
Bhattacharjee, who went missing following rehearsals at the Royal Court last Wednesday, was formally identified and his next of kin have been informed.
His death is not being treated as suspicious.
On behalf of the Royal Court, artistic director Vicky Featherstone said today: “We are deeply shocked and completely devastated at the loss of our dear friend and brilliant colleague.
“Paul has been such an important part of the world of theatre in so many ways and we shall miss him terribly. We can’t even begin to imagine the impact his loss will have on everyone who knew him and all of our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Appeal
He was reported missing earlier this week. A spokeswoman for the Royal Court said: “He left rehearsals on Wednesday afternoon in good spirits and just didn’t arrive for rehearsals the next day, Thursday morning.”
An appeal was launched on social media and the actor’s 24-year-old son issued a heartfelt plea for his return, saying his father’s disappearance was “completely out of character”.
The news will send shockwaves through the theatre community. Bhattacharjee was a highly respected actor, with recent credits including Much Ado About Nothing opposite Meera Syal, The Physicists at the Donmar and Complicite’s A Disappearing Number.
On screen he appeared in Bond film Casino Royale in 2006, while TV credits include EastEnders, Waking the Dead, The Jury, Spooks and The Bill.
The 53-year-old had been appearing at the Royal Court as part of an ensemble of 14 actors in its Weekly Rep series, as part of Open Court. He was due to appear in Alistair McDowall’s Talk Show, which opened this week and runs until 20 July.
