Derek Martin, the beloved actor renowned for his role as the devoted father and taxi driver Charlie Slater in EastEnders, has died at the age of 92. Martin portrayed the iconic character on the BBC One soap between 2000 and 2011, continuing to make guest appearances until his final departure in 2016. His character became a cornerstone of one of EastEnders' most tumultuous yet beloved families, winning viewers' hearts as the caring bedrock of the Slater household.

A statement from his two sons, David and Jonathan, highlighted his profound impact: “Derek wasn’t just a dad to us. He was a friend and supported us through our highs and lows. He never stopped learning, he loved meeting people and was always generous with his time. We both miss him terribly.” The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.

Born in Bow, east London, in April 1933, Martin’s journey to acting was unconventional. A former butcher, he left his job at Smithfield Meat Market in 1962, driven by a dream of pursuing an acting career despite having no formal training or stage performance experience. He also served in the Royal Air Force during his National Service and held a variety of jobs including digging roads, working in factories, motor racing, and professional gambling before finding his calling in acting.

Martin began his career as a stuntman, notably appearing in several episodes of Doctor Who. His acting path shifted after he broke his collar bone while filming the drama Elizabeth R in 1971. Over the subsequent decades, he became a familiar face on British television, with roles in popular shows such as Z-Cars, Softly Softly, The Sweeney, Minder, Bergerac, and The Bill. He credited his role as Detective Inspector Fred Pyle in the BBC's 1977 series Law & Order, which highlighted police corruption, as a significant launchpad for his career. He also appeared in King and Castle as Ronald King and The Governor as Gary Marshall, and even played himself in Little Britain.

His most cherished and recognized role, however, remained Charlie Slater. Charlie arrived in Walford in 2000 alongside his mother-in-law, Mo Harris, and his four daughters, Lynne, Kat, Little Mo, and Zoe. As the protective patriarch of the predominantly female Slater family, Charlie was central to many dramatic storylines, including a brief romance with landlady Peggy Mitchell, a relationship with Brenda Boyle, a prison sentence for attacking Little Mo's rapist Graham Foster, and a pivotal role in the controversial 2011 baby swap storyline involving Kat and Ronnie Branning. Charlie's character suffered a fatal heart attack off-screen in 2016, leading to his departure from the soap.

Away from the screen, Martin was known for his passions for golf and football. He was also a devoted member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, an entertainment charity and fraternity, serving as 'King Rat' from 2010 to 2011. Fellow Water Rats members, including Ian Richards, Steve Hewlett, and Ian Henry, fondly remembered him as a warm, funny man, celebrated for his significant, often unreported, charitable work and his ability to tell captivating stories. Martin was married twice, to Christine Rigg and Gloria Mitchell, both ending in divorce, and is survived by his two sons.

In his later years, Martin remained engaged with the industry, celebrating his 90th birthday in 2023. He openly discussed his son David's battle with depression, drawing parallels with his character's great-niece Stacey Branning's postpartum psychosis storyline in EastEnders. He also voiced strong opinions on the direction of the soap, stating in 2022 that it needed to reintroduce its humorous side and focus less on appealing solely to younger viewers with