Derek Martin
Derek Martin | |
---|---|
Born | Derek William Rapp 11 April 1933 Bow, London, England |
Occupation(s) | Actor, stuntman |
Years active | 1962–2016 |
Television | Law & Order King and Castle Eldorado EastEnders |
Spouse(s) | Christine Ann Rigg (divorced) Gloria J. Mitchell (divorced) |
Children | 2 |
Website | http://www.derekmartin.net |
Derek Martin (born Derek William Rapp; 11 April 1933) is a retired English actor. Beginning his career as a stuntman, he moved into acting and played many roles on UK television. One of his most widely known roles is Charlie Slater on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2000 to 2011, with brief appearances in 2013 and 2016.
Early life
In his early life Martin worked as a professional gambler, motor racer, at a meat market and as a debt collector. He also performed national service in the Royal Air Force.[1]
Career
Martin started his entertainment career as a
In 1978, Martin co-starred with
In September 2000, Martin started playing Charlie Slater in EastEnders. In April 2010 it was announced that Martin had been cut from the show, along with five other actors.[2] In early 2011 he filmed a guest stint with EastEnders with Charlie due to return for two episodes around April 2011.[3] He returned for another two episodes at Christmas 2013. On 11 February 2015, it was revealed that plans for Martin to make an EastEnders return had been called off, but in October, it was announced Martin would make a brief return for the upcoming Christmas/New Year period. He was written off the show on Thursday, 7 January 2016, in part one of two episodes, in which his character suffered a cardiac arrest.
Martin also starred in a short film called Piggy Bank in 2004.
In January 2012, Martin appeared as one of the first five couples in the third series of
From 2010 to 2011, Martin held the role of King Rat for the Grand Order of Water Rats, an entertainment industry charity and fraternity.[4]
Personal life
In February 2010 it was revealed that Martin was due to undergo an operation on his knee, expected to be around May 2010. He said his complaint was due to old age, playing football and carrying meat in an old job at
References
- ISBN 978-0615410159.
- ^ "EastEnders to axe six popular characters". BBC News. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (2 March 2011). "Soaps - News - Charlie Slater to make brief 'Enders return - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ "Past King Rats 1966-2018". Grand Order of Water Rats. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Rollo, Sarah (6 February 2010). "'Enders star's knee injury to be scripted". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
External links
- Derek Martin at IMDb
- Official website