Slater

The soap legend who played loveable cabbie Charlie Slater in EastEnders has sadly died aged 92, with his family by his side. He once opened up about his son’s struggle that shaped how he played his role on-screen

Derek Martin captured the hearts of the nation as devoted patriarch Charlie Slater in EastEnders, and it turns out his personal family struggle inspired his protective role on screen.

The soap legend, who has sadly died aged 92, was best known for playing Charlie on the BBC soap opera, a role he held from 2000 to 2011, with occasional appearances in 2013 and 2016.

Derek’s heartbroken family described him as a “truly an amazing person who was very talented in the filming industry and many other thing” in a statement issued. It’s understood that he passed away in hospital on Saturday night, with his loved ones by his side.

The former East End butcher, born Derek William Rapp, started his TV career as a stuntman on Doctor Who. However, after breaking his collarbone while filming Elizabeth R, he made the decision to focus on acting. And after appearing in the likes of Law & Order, King and Castle and Eldorado, he soon found himself appearing in The Bill, Only Fools and Horses and Little Britain – as himself. But to millions, he was known as the loveable London cabbie, Charlie on EastEnders.

READ MORE: Derek Martin dead: EastEnders’ Charlie Slater legend dies aged 92

Derek celebrated his 90th birthday in 2023, ringing in the special milestone with his two lookalike sons, David and Jonathan. The soap star spoke candidly about his own son David’s struggle with depression in the past as his EastEnders character dealt with a similiar issue on screen.

Back in 2016 on Albert Square, Charlie’s great-niece Stacey Branning suffered from depression and postpartum psychosis. And her troubles felt close to home for Derek. He said at the time: “At work I had the Stacey storyline. Then, I got home and there was my son, who I’d been worried about during the day, suffering from severe depression.”

Charlie first appeared in the soap in September 2000. Derek, however, had originally auditioned for the roles of Den Watts and Frank Butcher in the 1980s and made the shortlist for both.

When he auditioned for Charlie, he was offered a contract with a minimum term of three years, with the potential to stay for a longer period of time. Of the role of Charlie, Derek said it was like putting on an “old coat, and he had hoped to remain on the show until he died.

His character was known for being the glue which held the Slater family together and was “positive as long as his family was around him.” Nine years after he first arrived in Walford, it was announced that Derek would be taking a break from the show.

In 2016, Charlie was killed off from EastEnders after the character suffered a heart attack, but the actor said it had been “wonderful.” Speaking of his departure, he commented: “I spoke to Dominic, the executive producer, and he explained [the storyline] and said he’d give me a good send-off. In a way, it’s closure, after 11 years, which for an actor is wonderful.”

KATIE Price’s family “fear” for her after she “split” from boyfriend JJ Slater.

Rumours of trouble in paradise have been circling for months, but now it is being reported that the couple have “parted ways”, with those closest to Katie, 47, concerned she’ll “jump into another relationship”.

Yesterday it was reported that Katie and JJ have “split”, with the Married At First Sight star “moving out” of her home.

The former glamour girl has a long relationship history, and is known for going from one man to the next.

She has had high profile romances with Peter Andre, Carl woods and Alex Reid, to name but a few.

Despite telling her podcast listeners this week that she “doesn’t need a man”, Katie’s family are reportedly “concerned” that she will jump straight into another relationship now that things are “over” with JJ.

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A source told the Mirror: “She always says the same thing [about being happy alone and not needing a man in her life] but she’ll be throwing herself into the next relationship.

“She wants to find a husband and can’t cope without being with a partner. It wouldn’t be surprising if she hasn’t got someone lined up already.”

Continuing, the insider added: “It will last three seconds. Her family are concerned she will throw herself deep into another relationship and put the pressure on again to get married, like she has with JJ.

“You can’t force someone to get married, you can’t force someone to love you.”

Addressing the “JJ split”, the source said: “This has been on the cards for a long time.

“She’s been pushing for marriage, wanting a guy that’s marriage material but the writing has been on the wall for a long time.”

Talking about other concerns her family have regarding her endless cosmetic surgery procedures, the source revealed: “Her family are very worried about her.

“There is a real problem there and they are worried she will die on the operating table, because she’s not strong enough.

“She isn’t strong enough for a general anaesthetic, let alone another procedure.”

Katie’s rep told The Sun they had “no comment” on these claims.

JJ ‘SPLIT’

Yesterday it was reported that after months of speculation, Katie and JJ had “split”.

It came after they put on a untied front on Boxing Day, following break-up rumours.

However, according to insiders, they have “broken up” after two years of dating.

A source told the Mail: “Katie has had doubts for some time about whether JJ is husband material, but she hoped those concerns would fade.

“Instead, her fears only grew, and she’s now accepted the relationship will not end with her walking down the aisle for a fourth time.

“JJ was left disappointed and has already packed his bags and moved back to his home in Essex.”

MEETING JJ

Katie and JJ began dating in late 2023, following her split from ex-fiancé Carl Woods.

She reportedly first reached out to him following his time on the E4 show, MAFS, though he’d previously messaged Katie years before calling her “fit”.

There was no overlap between JJ’s romance with ex Ella Morgan.

In February 2024, the duo confirmed that they had begun dating.

Katie Price’s relationship history

We take a look back at the highs and lows of Katie Price’s relationship history.

1996-1998: Katie got engaged to Gladiators star Warren Furman – aka Ace – with a £3,000 ring. But their relationship didn’t make it as far as ‘I do’.

1998-2000: Katie described Dane Bowers as ‘the love of her life’ but she broke up with the singer when he allegedly cheated on her.

2001: Footballer Dwight Yorke is the father of Katie’s eldest child Harvey. He has had very little to do with Harvey throughout his life.

2002: Rebounding from Dwight, Katie famously had one night of passion with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, allegedly taking his virginity.

2002-2004: Katie was dating Scott Sullivan when she entered the jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. He threatened to “punch Peter’s lights out” when chemistry blossomed between her and Peter Andre.

2004-2009: The jungle romance resulted in Katie marrying Aussie pop star Peter. They had two kids, Junior and Princess, before their bitter split in 2009.

2010-2011: Fresh from her break-up with Peter, Katie enjoyed a whirlwind relationship and marriage with cage fighter Alex Reid. They split 20 months after their Las Vegas wedding.

2011: Katie briefly dated model Danny Cipriani… but it ended as quickly as it begun.

2011-2012: They didn’t speak the same language, but Katie got engaged to Argentinian model Leandro Penna in 2011. He later fled home to South America.

2012-2018: Wedding bells rang once more after Katie met Kieran Hayler in 2013. They had two kids together, Jett and Bunny, before their break-up and divorce.

2018-2019: Katie moved on quickly with Kris Boyson. They had an on-off romance for one year and even got engaged. They split for good in 2019.

2019: Katie was linked to Charles Drury during her on-off relationship with Kris. Charles, who also dated Lauren Goodger, has always denied being in “official relationship” with her.

2020-2023: Car salesman Carl Woods took a shine to Katie in 2020. Their relationship was up and down for three years. They broke up for a final time last year.

2024-present: After weeks of rumours, Katie confirmed her relationship with Married At First Sight star JJ Slater in February this year.