EastEnders actor Derek Martin has died at age of 92.
The star, who was finest recognized for his function as taxi driver Charlie Slater on the BBC cleaning soap, handed away in hospital on Saturday (10.01.26) night.
In an announcement issued by his agent Sharon Henry, Derek’s household stated that they might “miss him terribly”.
It learn: “Derek wasn’t only a dad to us, he was a pal and supported us by our highs and lows.
“He by no means stopped studying, he beloved assembly folks and was at all times beneficiant along with his time. We each miss him terribly.
“The household ask that their privateness be revered at this troublesome time.”
Sharon additionally described her time working with Derek as a “privilege”.
She stated: “It’s with nice unhappiness that I can verify that our beloved shopper Derek Martin handed away on tenth January 2026.
“For over 50 years, Derek was a very genuine working-class voice in British tv and movie.
“It was a privilege to be part of his inventive journey in a profession which included highlights comparable to Regulation And Order for the BBC and two sequence of The Governor produced by La Plante Productions.
“He’s finest recognized for his function on EastEnders, the place he cherished his time portraying Charlie Slater.
“Derek was a loyal father, a beneficiant member of the charitable Water Rats, avid golfer and all-around good man who might be drastically missed.”
Martin’s profession in leisure started as a stunt double on reveals comparable to Physician Who however that profession got here to an finish after he suffered a damaged collar bone while filming a drama in 1971.
Derek then moved into performing the place he appeared in programmes comparable to Regulation and Order and The Chinese language Detective.
He additionally took on the function of Detective Inspector Jack Frost in a BBC radio adaption of A Contact of Frost.
Derek’s different TV credit included Minder, The Invoice and Solely Fools and Horses.
Nevertheless, his most well-known function was as Charlie Slater in EastEnders – by which he was a daily solid member from 2000 till 2011 earlier than making temporary return appearances in 2013 and 2016.
An EastEnders spokesperson stated: “We’re deeply saddened to listen to of the passing of Derek Martin.
“From the second he arrived, Derek’s portrayal of Charlie Slater immediately cemented him within the hearts of the viewers, as the pinnacle of one in every of EastEnders’ most iconic households.
“Charlie would do something for his household, and very like his character, Derek would do the identical for these round him.
“Derek was deeply beloved by all people who labored with him at EastEnders and can at all times be remembered with nice fondness.
“Our love and ideas are along with his household and mates.”
