EastEnders star Derek Martin dies at age of 92

EASTENDERS actor Derek Martin played the adored head and glue of the Slater clan, and following his death at 92, tributes from his own family reveal art does imitate life.

- BY DANIEL BIRD and CHARLOTTE TUTTON

Derek had auditioned for the parts of Den Watts and Frank Butcher before being cast as lovable cabbie Charlie in 2000, a role he played until 2011 and one he described as like wearing an old coat.

The dad-of-two had hoped to remain on the BBC soap until he died, but following guest turns, his character bowed out in 2016 after having a fatal heart attack in front of mum-in-law Mo Harris.