EastEnders Legend Derek Martin Dies at 92 — The Beloved Charlie Slater Remembered

Derek Martin, the much-loved actor best known for portraying Charlie Slater in EastEnders, has passed away at the age of 92. The news was confirmed in a heartfelt Facebook post shared by a family friend, who revealed that Martin died peacefully in hospital, surrounded by loved ones.

The tribute described him as “an amazing person” and “a great man,” adding that he was deeply loved by his family and friends. He is survived by his two sons, Jonathan and David.

His character’s axe sparked fury among viewers (Picture: BBC)

Born Derek William Rapp, Martin became a household name when he joined the BBC soap in 2000. As taxi driver Charlie Slater, he played the devoted patriarch of one of EastEnders’ most iconic families. On screen, Charlie was the father of Lynne Hobbs, Kat Moon, Belinda Peacock, and Little Mo Mitchell, and the grandfather of Zoe Slater, Freddie Slater, and the Moon twins.

His character embodied warmth, stubborn loyalty, and working-class resilience—traits that quickly endeared him to viewers.

Charlie Slater arrived in Albert Square following the death of his wife Viv, and from the beginning, Martin’s performance brought authenticity and emotional depth. Over the next decade, Charlie found himself at the center of major storylines, including family betrayals, romantic entanglements, and moments of profound moral courage.

One of his most powerful arcs saw Charlie attack Graham Foster after learning that he had raped Little Mo—an act that led to Charlie serving a prison sentence. Another defining chapter was his involvement in the highly controversial baby swap storyline of 2011.

Charlie was written out during a major production shake-up in 2010, a decision that sparked widespread disappointment among fans. Martin returned briefly in 2011, with over 10 million viewers tuning in for his farewell episodes. He later reprised the role for festive appearances in 2013 and again in 2016. On screen, Charlie ultimately died of a heart attack, though the character appeared in a brief flashback in 2018.

Charlie was killed off after suffering a fatal heart attack in 2016 (Picture: BBC)

After leaving the show, Martin spoke candidly about how EastEnders had changed, expressing concern that it had lost some of its humor and balance.

“You used to have characters sitting together, having a drink and talking about silly things—that’s real life,” he once said. “You need that.”

Before becoming a familiar face on British television, Martin lived an extraordinary life. He worked as a professional gambler, motor racer, debt collector, and market worker before entering the entertainment industry as a stuntman. His stunt work included appearances on Doctor Who, but a serious injury in 1971 led him to transition into acting.

His career spanned decades, with roles in The Bill, Minder, Upstairs, Downstairs, Only Fools and Horses, Law & Order, and The Chinese Detective. He also appeared in numerous films, including Ragtime and Spaghetti House, and even played himself in Little Britain.

An EastEnders spokesperson paid tribute, saying Martin’s portrayal of Charlie “instantly cemented him in the hearts of the audience” and that he was “deeply loved by all those who worked with him.”

Martin had a TV and film career that spanned decades (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

His agent echoed those sentiments, describing him as a man who “never stopped learning,” who loved meeting people, and who was generous with his time.

Derek Martin leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond Walford. Through Charlie Slater, he gave viewers a character who felt real—flawed, stubborn, compassionate, and fiercely devoted to family.

For millions, he wasn’t just an actor on screen. He was Charlie. And he will not be forgotten.