Derek Martin, the actor best known for playing Charlie Slater in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, has died at the age of 92 after a short illness. Martin portrayed the level-headed patriarch of the Slater family for more than a decade, from 2000 until 2016.
Charlie Slater, a widowed cab driver, arrived in Albert Square with four of his five daughters and his mother-in-law. The role contrasted sharply with Martin's earlier tough-guy characters, though Charlie's devotion to his family could lead to explosive anger. In one storyline, he attacked his brother Harry after discovering Harry had raped Charlie's daughter Kat when she was 13, leading to the birth of Zoe.
Born in Bow, east London, Martin left school to become an apprentice surveyor before taking various jobs. He served in the RAF police during national service, then worked as a meat porter at Smithfield Market. After being acquitted of stealing meat at the Old Bailey, he decided to pursue acting. He bluffed his way into the profession, claiming repertory theatre experience, and began as an extra on Z Cars.
Martin's breakthrough came in the 1978 drama Law and Order, playing a corrupt police officer. He also appeared in The Chinese Detective, King & Castle, and the short-lived BBC soap Eldorado. His film credits included a role alongside James Cagney in Ragtime. Martin was twice married and divorced, and was described as a big softie who could occasionally snap.
