Beloved EastEnders actor Derek Martin, who famously played Charlie Slater, has died aged 92.
His death was confirmed via a statement issued by a family friend, who wrote on Facebook yesterday: ‘It is with deepest regret to announce that Derek Martin / Derek Rapp. Age of 92. At 7pm this evening Derek has sadly passed away in Hospital about an hour ago.
‘My Mum and his Son David was with Derek the whole time.’
They added in tribute: ‘Derek was truly an amazing person who was very talented in the filming industry and many other things. A great man, Father of two Sons & a fantastic family friend. We will miss you Derek. RIP.’
Born Derek William Rapp, the soap star appeared in the long-running BBC programme from 2000 to 2011 as the on-screen father of characters Lynne Hobbs, Kat Moon, Belinda Peacock, and Little Mo Mitchell.
He was the grandfather of Zoe Slater, Dermott Dolan, Vivienne Hobbs, Freddie Slater, and Tommy, Bert, and Ernie Moon.
![Television programmes: Eastenders Picture shows: Mo Harris [LAILA MORSE] Charlie Slater [DEREK MARTIN] Charlie balances the box of bananas as he arrives home he gets out his key but the spider crawls down his shirt. Charlie feels the spider tickling his skin under his shirt and crumples to the ground thinking he's been poisoned. **STRICTLY EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL 8TH JULY 2008** Tx: BBC One Thursday 17th July 2008 WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be published in print for editorial use during the publicity period (the weeks immediately leading up to and including the transmission week of the relevant programme or event and three review weeks following) for the purpose of publicising the programme, person or service pictured and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. Any use of this image on the internet and other online communication services will require a separate prior agreement with BBC Pictures. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required.](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AD_8026868-4c5a.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Charlie was also, of course, a prominent figure in great-niece Stacey Slater’s life. Lacey Turner took on the feisty role in 2004, with Charlie becoming like a father to her amid her rebellious ways.
Throughout his tenure, Charlie was at the centre of plenty of family scandals and big storylines.
Having arrived at Albert Square following wife Viv’s death, he embarked on a fling with Peggy Mitchell and later dated Brenda Boyle.
Charlie was arrested and served a three-month prison sentence in the mid-2000s after attacking Graham Foster upon discovering he had raped Little Mo.
His other pivotal moments included an involvement in the hugely divisive baby swap plot of 2011.
Charlie was axed as part of a major shake-up by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood in 2010, leaving viewers devastated and declaring a period of ‘mourning’.
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He would return, though, with his final episode airing on January 13, 2011, before a two-episode stint that April. A staggering 10.31million people tuned in for episode one, and 8.43m for the second.
Martin also reprised the iconic role on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2013, with a further guest appearance in 2016 for five episodes.
In the end, taxi driver Charlie died of a heart attack, but he was shown in a brief flashback in 2018’s festive special.
Speaking after leaving the soap, Martin admitted he felt it was focusing too much on younger characters and lacked humour.
‘You used to have Charlie, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker), and Jim Branning (John Bardon) sitting at the allotments with a few beers, just talking about silly things. That’s what happens in real life. You need that on EastEnders,’ he said to The Sun.
‘I’ve nothing against youngsters. They’re the future, but it’s like the BBC is trying to turn EastEnders into Hollyoaks with so many youngsters, and everyone’s having affairs and beating people up.’
Before he played Charlie, Martin had previously auditioned for two other roles that would become as synonymous with EastEnders as the ‘duff duff’ itself: Den Watts and Frank Butcher.
Having been unsuccessful, he requested to screen-test for Charlie, a role he once said he wanted to play until his death, describing it as ‘comfortable’ and ‘like putting on an old coat’.
After the sad news of his death broke, fans and stars flocked to pay tribute to Martin, with an EastEnders spokesperson saying: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Derek Martin.
‘From the moment he arrived, Derek’s portrayal of Charlie Slater instantly cemented him in the hearts of the audience as the head of one of EastEnders’ most iconic families.
‘Charlie would do anything for his family, and much like his character, Derek would do the same for those around him. Derek was deeply loved by all those that worked with him at EastEnders and will always be remembered with great fondness. Our love and thoughts are with his family and friends.’
Martin’s agent, Sharon Henry, shared a further statement on his family’s behalf: ‘Derek wasn’t just a dad to us he was a friend and supported us through our highs and lows. He never stopped learning, he loved meeting people and was always generous with his time. We both miss him terribly.
‘The family ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.’
Prior to acting, Martin had jobs as a professional gambler, a motor racer, a debt collector, and a worker in a meat market.
He then ventured into television as a stuntman, appearing in several episodes of Doctor Who, but broke his collarbone while shooting the drama Elizabeth R in 1971, which prompted his switch to acting.
Beyond EastEnders, Martin appeared in TV shows such as Law & Order in 1978, two series of the BBC drama The Chinese Detective from 1981 to 1982, and season 5 of Minder in 1984.
He took over as Detective Inspector Jack Frost in a radio adaptation of A Touch of Frost in the early 80s. He would have guest appearances in shows like The Bill, Upstairs, Downstairs, Only Fools and Horses, and Messenger of the Gods.
What’s more, he played himself in an episode of Little Britain.
Film-wise, Martin boasts a similarly extensive CV, with credits in Secrets of a Windmill Girl (1966), The Sex Thief (1973), Eskimo Nell (1975), Adventures of a Plumber’s Mate (1978), Ragtime (1981), and Spaghetti House (1982), to name a few.
With regards to his personal life, Martin was married twice, firstly to Christine Rigg in 1961 and to Gloria Mitchell in 1971. Both marriages ended in divorce.
He is survived by sons Jonathan and David.
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