The Slater family stormed into Albert Square in 2000, instantly becoming one of EastEnders' most iconic and tumultuous clans. Replacing the Di Marcos, Charlie Slater and his daughters Kat, Lynne, Little Mo, and granddaughter Zoe made an indelible mark on Walford and the hearts of the nation. Their arrival catapulted the actors who portrayed them to stardom, but for some, life off-screen has mirrored the drama of the soap itself. Following the recent sad announcement of the death of family patriarch Derek Martin, we look at where the stars of the legendary Slater family are now.
From Albert Square to Reality TV and Retail
Ricky Groves, now 57, played the hapless but lovable Garry Hobbs for nine years. After leaving the Square in 2009, he became a staple of reality television, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Coach Trip, and the infamous diving show Splash!. These days, he is a familiar face on social media through Must Have Ideas UK, where he sells products with such infectious enthusiasm that viewers are often tempted to purchase everything from cleaning products to mould remover.
Elaine Lordan, who played the original Lynne Slater, was the first of the sisters to leave Walford. Her post-EastEnders journey included a famously brief stint on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, entering and exiting on the same day. She largely withdrew from public life after 2008, following profound personal tragedy, including the death of her one-year-old son in 2005. She recently appeared in a heartwarming social media post with former co-star Lucy Benjamin.
Hollywood Dreams and Soap Returns
Michelle Ryan, who played Zoe Slater, traded Walford for Hollywood after her departure. She landed the lead role of Jaime Sommers in the big-budget NBC remake of Bionic Woman in 2007, mastering Krav Maga and an American accent for the part. The series was halted by the Writers Guild of America strike and did not return. Ryan later took on roles in UK dramas and theatre before making a dramatic and long-awaited return to EastEnders in 2025 after nearly two decades away.
Kacey Ainsworth, forever remembered as the gentle Little Mo terrorised by Trevor Morgan, left the soap in 2006. She has since built an impressive career in television drama, with notable roles in Holby Blue, Casualty, and as Cathy Keating, the wife of Robson Green's character, in the hit ITV series Grantchester.
Triumphs, Troubles, and a Fond Farewell
The most prominent Slater star is undoubtedly Jessie Wallace, the actress behind the fiery Kat Slater. Her popularity led to a spin-off series, Redwater, and a shelf full of awards. However, her time off-screen has seen controversy. In 2022, she was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and drunk and disorderly conduct. She was released without charge after receiving a conditional caution, with the BBC stating senior bosses had issued her a clear warning. Wallace expressed "deep regret" over the incident.
The Slater family and the EastEnders community were recently saddened by the death of Derek Martin, the beloved actor who played the family's cheerful cabbie and figurehead, Charlie Slater. He was 92. His family described him as not just a dad but a friend who was "generous with his time." Martin joined the show with the Slaters in 2000 and remained for 11 years, with later appearances in 2013 and 2016. The BBC paid tribute, calling him "the head of one of EastEnders' most iconic families."
From Hollywood adventures and TV success to personal challenges and profound loss, the journeys of the Slater family actors have been as compelling as their on-screen storylines. Their legacy on British television, however, remains forever cemented in the history of Albert Square.
