Derek Martin, who starred as Charlie Slater in BBC's Eastenders, has died at the age of 92.
Mr Martin played the character between 2000 and 2011, and made guest appearances in the years following that, with Charlie featuring in a number of major storylines.
His final EastEnders appearance was in 2016, with his character suffering a fatal heart attack.
Now, his family have paid tribute to him as a "friend" who "supported us through our highs and lows."
A statement from his family, shared by his agent Sharon Henry, said: "It is with great sadness that I can confirm that our beloved client Derek Martin passed away on January 10, 2026.
“For over 50 years, Derek was a truly authentic working-class voice in British television and film.
"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 ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."
Derek Martin has died at the age of 92
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Derek Martin alongside other EastEnders cast members in 2005
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Born as Derek William Rapp in Bow, east London in 1933, he got his start in the entertainment industry as a stuntman on programmes such as Doctor Who.
However, after breaking his collarbone while filming Elizabeth R in 1971, Martin switched to acting.
He appeared in one off roles on programmes including Law & Order, Only Fools and Horses, The Sweeney, Z Cars and The Bill.
Martin also had a film career, appearing in sex comedies including Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966 and Adventures of a Plumber's Mate in 1978, as well as a minor role in the Academy Award nominated Ragtime, the final film appearances of James Cagney and Pat O'Brien.
Derek alongside Matt Di Angelo, Charlie Clements, Robert Kazinsky and James Alexandrou
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He is well known among British audiences as taxicab driver and family patriarch Charlie Slater in EasEtnders.
An EastEnders spokesman said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Derek Martin. From the moment he arrived, Derek’s portrayal of Charlie Slater instantly cemented him in the hearts of the audience, as the head of one of EastEnders’ most iconic families.
"Charlie would do anything for his family, and much like his character, Derek would do the same for those around him. Derek was deeply loved by all those that worked with him at EastEnders and will always be remembered with great fondness.
"Our love and thoughts are with his family and friends."
Derek Martin in 2005
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Discussing his path into acting on his website, he said: "I had always been a big film fan for as long as I can remember.
"Where I grew up, in the East End, there were dozens of cinemas and some of my earliest memories are of going off to the cinema. When I was a young man I would go at least three times a week."
"In order to find an agent I went to a café in Soho which I knew actors frequented. I asked around and got a number and telephoned the agent for an appointment. I bluffed them saying I had done some rep work in the North.
"I was offered a job on Z Cars the next week. It turned out to be three days work as a walk on, I was paid three guineas a day. That was my start. From walk-ons I then went into doing stunt work, before carving out a good career as a character actor."