FAREWELL

EastEnders legend who starred as cabbie head of Slaters dies at 92

- DANIEL BIRD Assistant Showbiz Editor and CHARLOTTE TUTTON Soaps Editor

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.

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.