The British actor played Charlie Slater on the BBC soap EastEnders from 2000 to 2011, with later appearances in 2013 and 2016
Derek Martin played Charlie Slater for 15 years in the soap opera Eastenders(Image: Daily Mirror)
EastEnders icon Derek Martin has has died at the age of 92.
The soap veteran was most recognised for his portrayal of Charlie Slater on the BBC drama, a character he portrayed from 2000 to 2011, with sporadic appearances in 2013 and 2016.
A statement released by a family friend on Facebook on Saturday evening read: “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. 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 and a fantastic family friend. We will miss you Derek. RIP.”
Derek’s passing was announced by a family friend on Facebook(Image: BBC)
The late actor, an avid golf and football fan, was also part of the Grand Order of Water Rats, an entertainment charity established in 1889. Fellow members have since taken to social media to pay their respects to Derek.
Ian Richards expressed: “So very sad to hear of the passing of PKR Derek Martin, ‘king of the eggs’, if you know, you know. A genuinely warm and funny man whose company always had me rolling in laughter, his massive charity work, largely unreported, but never dismissed by those who knew him well. RIP Derek the world is a sadder place without you.”
Ian Henry expressed: “It was a joy to be in his company. He had so many stories and was a very funny man. He achieved so much in his long and distinguished career, not least his iconic portrayal of Charlie Slater in EastEnders for so many years. His presence will be sorely missed.”
Derek played cabbie Charlie Slater in the BBC soap for 15 years(Image: Press Association)
Derek, born as Derek William Rapp, initially embarked on his career as a stuntman on Doctor Who, reports the Mirror. However, after sustaining a collarbone injury while filming Elizabeth R, he decided to shift his focus to acting.
Following appearances in shows such as Law and Order, King and Castle and Eldorado, he soon found himself featuring in The Bill, Only Fools and Horses and Little Britain – playing himself. Yet, to millions, he was best known as the affable London cabbie, Charlie on EastEnders.
Charlie made his first appearance on the soap in September 2000. Interestingly, Derek had previously auditioned for the roles of Den Watts and Frank Butcher in the 1980s, making the shortlist for both parts.
When he auditioned for Charlie, he was offered a contract with a minimum term of three years, with the possibility of extending his stay.
Derek left EastEnders in 2016 after his character died of a heart attack(Image: BBC)
Speaking about the role of Charlie, Derek likened it to donning an “old coat, and he had hoped to remain on the show until he died.His character was known for being the glue which held the Slater family together and was “, expressing his desire to remain on the show until his passing.
His character was renowned for being the binding force within the Slater family, maintaining a “positive” outlook as long as his family was around him. Nine years after his debut in Walford, it was announced that Derek would be taking a hiatus from the show.
Back in 2016, Charlie was written out of EastEnders following a heart attack storyline, though the actor described the experience as “wonderful.”
Reflecting on his exit, he remarked: “I spoke to Dominic, the executive producer, and he explained [the storyline] and said he’d give me a good send-off. In a way, it’s closure, after 11 years, which for an actor is wonderful.”
Tributes have poured in for the late actor following the news of his death(Image: BBC)
However, despite his fondness for his stint on the BBC soap, Derek voiced concerns in 2022 that the programme had become “miserable” and required more comedy in its plots. He suggested the show had moved away from “affairs and beating people up” in an attempt to attract younger viewers.
In an interview with The Sun, Derek explained: “You’ve got to have humour because there’s always something to laugh about in life. 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.
“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.”
Following the news, tributes have flooded social media, with one supporter posting: “Some sad news this evening as Derek Martin, Walford’s very own Charlie Slater, has passed away. Thoughts with his family, friends and all those who worked with him.
“I’m so sad to read this. Farewell Derek Martin – a lovely man, a fantastic actor, and an EastEnders icon,” expressed one fan.
Another person added: “Very sad to hear that Derek Martin has died. He created a wonderful character in Charlie Slater – the perfect head of the clan.”
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