Advertisement

EastEnders' 'Dirty' Den actor Leslie Grantham dies aged 71

The British actor Leslie Grantham has died at the age of 71. He was best known for his role as 'D...
Newstalk
Newstalk

16.56 15 Jun 2018


Share this article


EastEnders' 'D...

EastEnders' 'Dirty' Den actor Leslie Grantham dies aged 71

Newstalk
Newstalk

16.56 15 Jun 2018


Share this article


The British actor Leslie Grantham has died at the age of 71.

He was best known for his role as 'Dirty' Den Watts in the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders.

It had been reported earlier this week that he was in a critical condition in hospital.

Advertisement

A statement from his representative says there will be a private funeral which will be attended by close family and friends only.

Grantham starred in EastEnders between 1985 to 1989, with his villainous 'Dirty' Den Watts becoming one of the show's best-known characters.

Despite apparently being killed in his final 1989 appearance, Den made a dramatic and high-profile comeback in 2003.

Leslie Grantham with actress Letitia Dean. Picture by: Myung Jung Kim/PA Wire/PA Images

He continued to star in the show until 2005, when Dirty Den was finally killed off.

Before his acting career took off, Grantham served a 10-year prison sentence for the murder of a German taxi driver while on army service.

After his release from prison, he began his training as an actor.

As well as EastEnders, Grantham also appeared in TV shows such as The Bill, and also was involved in several theatre productions.

He is said to have completed work on the upcoming film The Krays: Dead Man Walking shortly before his death.

Former co-stars were among those who paid tribute to Grantham.

Letitia Dean, who played Den's adoptive daughter Sharon on EastEnders, said: "I have very special memories of working with Leslie and will cherish them always. He and Anita [Dobson] looked after me in my early days and showed me the ropes, always with care and kindness.

"He never failed to make me laugh and I will remember him with love, affection and gratitude forever."


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular