Cleaning soap star Derek Martin, who was 92, hit Albert Sq. in 2000 and have become a fan favorite on the present till he was killed off in 2016.

Eastenders legend Derek Martin, recognized for enjoying Charlie Slater, has died.

The cleaning soap legend, who was 92, took up his position in Albert Sq. in 2000 and have become a fan favorite on the present till he was killed off in 2016.

The dad-of-two’s household revealed the information in a touching tribute on Sunday, whereas Eastenders chiefs stated he was “deeply liked” by his fellow forged members.

Finest-known for his position enjoying feisty Kat Slater’s cabbie dad on the BBC cleaning soap, the star’s demise on Saturday got here after a profession spanning 50 years on the display screen.

In a press release, shared through his agent, Derek’s sons stated: “Derek wasn’t only a dad to us he was a buddy and supported us by way of our highs and lows.

“He by no means stopped studying, he liked assembly folks and was all the time beneficiant along with his time. We each miss him terribly. The household ask that their privateness be revered at this tough time.”

Derek’s spokesperson added: “It’s with nice disappointment that I can verify that our beloved consumer 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 resembling Legislation And Order for the BBC and two collection of The Governor produced by La Plante Productions.

“He’s greatest recognized for his position on Eastenders, the place he cherished his time portraying Charlie Slater.

“Derek was a faithful father, a beneficiant member of the charitable Water Rats, avid golfer and all-around good man who can be significantly missed.”

A household buddy took to social media to share that the star had died in hospital on Saturday night, writes the Mirror.

Born Derek William Rapp, the actor began his profession as a stuntman on Physician Who however broke his collarbone whereas filming Elizabeth R and determined to concentrate on appearing.

He went on to seem on Legislation & Order, King and Citadel and Eldorado in addition to The Invoice, Solely Fools and Horses and Little Britain. However to hundreds of thousands, he was greatest generally known as the loveable London cabbie, Charlie in Albert Sq..

Derek stated enjoying the position was like placing on an “previous coat, and he had hoped to stay on the present till he died.

9 years after he first arrived in Walford, it was introduced that Derek could be taking a break from the present.

In 2016, Charlie was killed off from EastEnders after the character suffered a coronary heart assault, however the actor stated it had been “fantastic.”

Talking of his departure, he stated: “I spoke to Dominic, the chief producer, and he defined (the storyline) and stated he’d give me an excellent send-off. In a means, it is closure, after 11 years, which for an actor is fantastic.”

However whereas he brazenly admitted he liked his time on the cleaning soap, in 2022, Derek stated that the present was “depressing” and wanted to inject humour again into the storylines.

A spokesperson for EastEnders 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 top of one in all 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 liked by all those who labored with him at EastEnders and can all the time be remembered with nice fondness. Our love and ideas are along with his household and pals.”

Tributes have since poured in throughout social media, with one fan writing: “Some unhappy information this night as Derek Martin, Walford’s very personal Charlie Slater, has handed away. Ideas along with his household, pals and all those that labored with him.”

“I am so unhappy to learn this. Farewell Derek Martin – a beautiful man, a implausible actor, and an EastEnders icon,” stated a second.

A 3rd went on to write down: “Very unhappy to listen to that Derek Martin has died. He created an exquisite character in Charlie Slater – the proper head of the clan.”