Ted Lasso airs shock exit of fan favourite as latest episode pays tribute to Anthony Head

Ted Lasso has aired the devastating exit of a fan favourite character, while the episode has also paid a poignant tribute to late star Anthony Head. The latest instalment of the Apple TV show 'Mae Rides the Bus' centres on AFC Richmond's match against Bristol City.

Much of the episode focuses on Annette Badland's landlady Mae Green, who delightfully gets to ride on the bus with the team, dishing out words of wisdom to the players and later having the time of her life in the stands.

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However, the episode ends on a tragic note as Mae is later found collapsed on the ground, with Rebecca Welton relaying the news to Ted, his sombre reaction confirming that Mae had passed away.

Opening about her initial thoughts on her character being killed off, Badland told Deadline: "I was shocked, but I’m very proud being in the show, and I admire Jason [Sudeikis].

"I think the series is so successful because people smell it’s very genuine. The audience know it’s not made cynically. It’s not a product. It’s something Jason wants to say about the world and how we are, so you have to trust that."

The episode also ended with a title card with the tribute: "In Memory of Anthony Head" following the Rupert Mannion actor's death earlier this year aged 72.

Paying her own tribute to her late co-star, Badland said: "He was a beautiful man, and he will be much missed. He was charming and funny and generous, and we’d have naughty little sort of asides.

"And I had wondered why we weren’t – I assumed he would be in this last [season] and didn’t know, as I think very few people knew, he was ill and just couldn’t do it. So we will miss him, and I respect him, and I think it’s a great honor to be in the episode that is dedicated to him."

The latest episode also saw a twist when it was revealed that Zelda Southport (Tracey Ullman) was the culprit who had secretly been buying shares in Richmond, despite speculation it was Rupert. According to Deadline, no storylines were changed in the wake of Head's death and thus the plot wasn't originally intended for him, with no formal plans to bring him back.

Ted Lasso streams on Apple TV, with new episodes airing weekly.

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The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.

Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International.  Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.