Derek Martin

Derek William Rapp (11 April 1933 – 10 January 2026), known profesionally as Derek Martin, was an English actor. With a career spanning more than five decades, he began as a stuntman before moving into acting, appearing in a range of British television roles, which included starring in the crime dramas Law & Order and King and Castle (1985–1988), before taking on his most prominent role of Charlie Slater in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2000–2011), returning briefly in 2013 and 2016.

Early life Martin was born Derek William Rapp on 11 April 1933 in Bow, London, to Christina (née Jarvis) and William "Bill" Rapp. Before becoming an actor, he worked as a professional gambler, motor racer, meat‑market porter, and debt collector. He also undertook national service in the Royal Air Force.

Career Martin began his entertainment career as a stuntman on programmes including Doctor Who, but after breaking his collar bone filming the drama Elizabeth R (1971) he switched to acting. He appeared in the BBC television series Paul Temple and the ITV series The Governor. His film credits included Secrets of a Windmill Girl (1966), The Sex Thief (1973), Eskimo Nell (1975), Sex Express (aka Diversions) (1975), Adventures of a Plumber's Mate (1978), Ragtime (1981), Spaghetti House (1982), and Boston Kickout (1995).

In 1978 Martin co-starred with Peter Dean in the BBC television series Law & Order, playing Detective Inspector Fred Pyall. From 1981 to 1982 he played Det. Insp. Berwick in two series of the BBC drama The Chinese Detective. In 1982 he became the second actor to take on the role of R. D. Wingfield's fictional Detective Inspector Jack Frost, starring in a BBC radio adaptation of A Touch of Frost. In 1984 he appeared in an episode of the fifth series of Minder. The following year he was cast as the lead in King and Castle alongside Nigel Planer, which ran for two series until 1988. Devised and co-written by The Sweeney creator Ian Kennedy Martin, the drama featured Martin as former policeman Ronald King, now running a debt‑collection agency in London's East End. He later appeared in Eldorado as gangster Alex Morris. His other television work included guest roles in numerous programmes, among them a return to Doctor Who to play policeman David Mitchell in Image of the Fendahl (1977), The Sweeney episode "Messenger of the Gods" as the villain Spooner, Upstairs, Downstairs, The Bill and Only Fools and Horses. He also played himself in an episode of Little Britain and starred in the short film Piggy Bank (2004).

Martin began playing Charlie Slater in EastEnders in September 2000. In April 2010 it was announced that he had been cut from the show, along with five other actors. In early 2011 he filmed a guest stint, with Charlie returning for two episodes around April 2011. He returned for another two episodes at Christmas 2013. On 11 February 2015 it was reported that plans for Martin to return had been cancelled, but in October it was announced that he would make a brief appearance over the Christmas and New Year period. He made his final appearance in January 2016, in which his character died after suffering a fatal heart attack.

In January 2012, Martin won the third series of Celebrity Coach Trip, alongside his EastEnders co-star John Altman. From 2010 to 2011 Martin served as King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats, an entertainment-industry charity and fraternity.

Personal life and death Martin was married twice, first to Christine Rigg in 1961 and then to Gloria Mitchell in 1971; both marriages ended in divorce. He had twin sons in 1978, David (died January 2026) and Jonathan with his second wife. In February 2010 it was reported that he was due to undergo knee surgery later that year, a condition he attributed to old age, playing football, and carrying meat during his earlier work at Smithfield Meat Market. In his later years, Martin lived in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Martin died on the evening of 10 January 2026, at the age of 92. His death was announced on social media by a family friend.

EastEnders also paid tribute to Martin on their social media pages, saying they were "deeply saddened to hear of his passing", describing his portrayal of Charlie Slater as instantly cementing him in the hearts of the audience, as the head of one of EastEnders most iconic families.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1964 The Evil of Frankenstein Roustabout 1965 Hysteria Waiter 1966 Secrets of a Windmill Girl Barman 1966 Two of a Kind Casablanca Cast Member 1968 Subterfuge Shevik's Henchman 1968 The Big Switch 1st Heavy 1973 The Sex Thief Doorman 1974 Keep It Up, Jack Client with Swing 1975 Eskimo Nell Floor Manager 1975 The Girl from Starship Venus Man in Strip Club 1975 The Motorway File Don Short film 1976 Diversions Escort 1977 Candleshoe Policeman 1978 Adventures of a Plumber's Mate Motorcycle Dealer 1980 Dark Water Security Guard Short film 1980 The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu Museum Guard 1981 Ragtime Waldo's Aide No. 2 1981 Priest of Love Police Sergeant 1982 Spaghetti House Commissioner Hutchinson 1983 The Aerodrome Provo Sgt. Peters Television film 1984 The Hope and the Glory Club Manager Television film 1992 The Cutter Benny Short film 1995 Boston Kickout Ray 1999 Piggy Bank Harry Short film 1999 Prince of Denmark Hill Bernard Short film 2003 EastEnders: Slaters in Detention Charlie Slater Spin-off 2004 EastEnders: Pat and Mo Charlie Slater Television film Sources:

Television Year Title Role Notes 1963 Maigret Extra Uncredited; 1 episode 1963 BBC Sunday-Night Play Porter 1 episode 1963 Moonstrike 1 episode 1964 It's a Square World Various Characters 11 episodes 1964 Lance at Large 1 episode 1964 Rupert of Hentzau Hireling 1 episode 1965 No Hiding Place Scouse 1 episode 1965 Londoners Barry 1 episode 1965–1977 Doctor Who UNIT Soldier / Prisoner / David Mitchell / Thug / Soldier / Ship's Crew / Extra / Parisian in Rue des Fosses St. Germain / Soldier Killed by Auton 15 episodes 1965 Out of the Unknown Reporter / Guard 2 episodes 1966 A Game of Murder Taxi Driver 1 episode 1966 Comedy Playhouse 1 episode 1966 Thirteen Against Fate Gendarme 1 episode 1966 Blackmail N.C.O. 1 episode 1966–1967 Adam Adamant Lives! Coach Driver / Villain / TA Soldier 3 episodes 1966–1969 Softly Softly Taxi Driver / Det. Con. Jones / Det. Con. Milne 3 episodes 1967 Theatre 625 1 episode 1967 Mickey Dunne Cruncher 1 episode 1967 The Big M Motorist 1 episode 1967–1969 Z-Cars Carter / Demolition Worker / PC Oldshaw 3 episodes 1969 The Borderers Andrew / Outlaw / Ritchie's Assistant 4 episodes 1969 The First Churchills Sergeant 1 episode 1970 Jackanory The Stranger / The man 10 episodes 1970–1971 Paul Temple Paddy 6 episodes 1971 Elizabeth R Horseman to Cecil 1 episode 1971 Mogul Driver 1 episode 1971–1974 Softly, Softly: Task Force Ted / Dick 2 episodes 1972 The Regiment Private Jones 1 episode 1972 The Brothers Van Driver 1 episode 1972 New Scotland Yard Bill 1 episode 1972 Mandog Gala One / Gala 4 episodes 1972–1973 Spy Trap Brown / Davis 6 episodes 1972–1975 Dixon of Dock Green Fingers Tozer / Len Drake 2 episodes 1973 The Roses of Eyam William Thornley TV play 1973 Fish Van driver 1 episode 1973 Six Days of Justice Warrant Officer 1 episode 1973–1974 The Adventures of Black Beauty Thug Two / Beadle 2 episodes 1974 The Zoo Gang Gallery Guard Uncredited; 1 episode 1975 Upstairs, Downstairs Heckler 1 episode 1975 Doctor on the Go Prison Officer Sykes 1 episode 1975 You're on Your Own Potter 1 episode 1976 The Melting Pot 3 episodes 1976–1977 The Duchess of Duke Street Sergeant / Ben Smythe 2 episodes 1976–1980 Play for Today Jimmy / Security Guard 2 episodes 1977 Just William Man with lantern 1 episode 1977 Maidens' Trip Sam Stevens 1 episode 1977 Survivors Cyril 1 episode 1977 Holding On Sergeant 1 episode 1977–1978 Target Alan Ziegler / Taxi Driver 2 episodes 1978 The Sweeney Spooner 1 episode 1978 Law & Order D.I. Fred Pyall Series regular; 3 episodes 1978 The Professionals Renshaw 1 episode 1978 BBC2 Play of the Week Frank 1 episode 1978 It Ain't Half Hot Mum Military Policeman 1 episode 1979 Potter Boilerman 1 episode 1979 Maggie and Her Barman 1 episode 1979 ITV Playhouse Colley 1 episode 1979–1982 BBC2 Playhouse Reg / The Corp 2 episodes 1979–1983 Angels Mr. Smith / Alec Banks / Len Smith 6 episodes 1979–1983 Terry and June Mr. Parkins / Policeman 2 episodes 1979–1984 Minder Fenton's Heavy / Cedric 2 episodes 1980 The Enigma Files Brewer 1 episode 1980 The Gentle Touch Nellie Jackson 1 episode 1980 Premiere Drill sergeant 1 episode 1980 Shoestring Parry 1 episode 1980–1983 Pig in the Middle Roger Boocock 3 episodes 1981 Agony Police Inspector 1 episode 1981 Private Schulz Gruber 1 episode 1981 World's End Daley 2 episodes 1981–1982 The Chinese Detective Detective Chief Inspector Berwick Series regular; 14 episodes 1983 Hart to Hart Inspector Drootin 1 episode 1983 Give us a Break Thompson's Backer 1 episode 1984 Big Deal Phil Graves 1 episode 1984 Murder Not Proven? James Hanks Loching 1 episode 1985 The Pickwick Papers Hunt 1 episode 1985 The Bright Side Mr. Royal 5 episodes 1985 Storyboard Det. Sgt. Ronald King 1 episode 1985 Dempsey and Makepeace Scott 1 episode 1985–1988 King and Castle Ronald King Series regular 1990 Screen One D.I. Russell 1 episode 1991 Fiddlers Three Detective Sergeant Stubbs 1 episode 1992 True Crimes Detective 1 episode 1992–1997 The Bill Kenny Stone / Dave Richards / George Talbot 3 episodes 1993 Eldorado Alex Morris Series regular; 40 episodes 1993 Only Fools and Horses Arthur 1 episode 1995–1996 The Governor Gary Marshall Series regular; 12 episodes 1996 Ellington Dennis Pollock 1 episode 1997 The Detectives Groom's Father 1 episode 2000–2011, 2013, 2016 EastEnders Charlie Slater Regular role 2001 Comic Relief: Say Pants to Poverty TV special 2005 Little Britain Himself 1 episode 2012 Celebrity Coach Trip Himself Winner; Series 3 Sources: