Derek Martin
Known For
Acting
Born
1933-04-11 in Bow, London, England, UK
Died
2026-01-10
Biography
Derek Martin was one of the most authentic working class voices in British film and television since the 1970s. Born Derek William Rapp in 1933, Martin was in the RAF for his National Service and took up a series of jobs including road worker, Smithfield Meat Market porter, and professional gambler, before entering showbusiness as an extra and stunt performer in a variety of programmes including Doctor Who. He retired from stunt work following an injury on Elizabeth I in 1971 and moved into acting. His most famous break out role was as the corrupt detective Fred Pyle in GF Newman's controversial 1978 drama Law & Order. In the following decade Martin had major roles in TV dramas such as The Chinese Detective and King & Castle, and played James Cagney's aide in milos Forman's epic 1981 film Ragtime. In 2000, Martin joined the cast of EastEnders as Charlie, the patriarch of the Slater family, a role he continued to play on and off for sixteen years.
Most Known For
EastEnders
as Charlie Slater
Doctor Who
as David Mitchell
Minder
as Cedric
Play for Today
as Security Guard
Hart to Hart
as Inspector Drootin
Ready, Steady, Cook
as Self - Guest
The Professionals
as Renshaw
GMTV
as Self
Playhouse
as Reg
Playhouse
as Corp
Little Britain
as Self
Theatre 625
The Sweeney
as Spooner
No Hiding Place
Upstairs, Downstairs
as Heckler
Celebrity Mastermind
Dempsey and Makepeace
as Scott
Z-Cars
Softly, Softly
Shoestring
as Parry