Charlie Slater was last seen on EastEnders nine years ago when the beloved cab driver pᴀssed aways after suffering from a heart attack.  

Played by Derek Martin, who is set to turn 92 in April, he made his first appearance in September 2000, until he was axed in 2016. 

Charlie arrived in Walford with his four daughters, Kat, Lynne, Little Mo and Zoe as well as his mother-in-law Big Mo Harris. 

During his 15-years on EastEnders he became one of the soaps most loved characters and was involved in many family scandals. 

From helping his daughter Little Mo escape her abusive husband Trevor Morgan to finding out his brother Harry Slater raped his daughter Kat and a shocking baby swap storyline. 

This month, as the soap marks its 40th anniversary with an interactive live episode, MailOnline takes a look at where Derek is now. 

Charlie Slater was last seen on EastEnders nine years ago when the beloved cab driver pᴀssed aways after suffering from a heart attack off-screen

Played by Derek Martin, who is set to turn 91 in April, he made his first appearance in September 2000, until he was axed in 2016 

After arriving on the soap following the death of his wife Viv, Charlie had a brief fling with landlady Peggy Mitchell before dating Brenda Boyle. 

He served a three-month prison sentence for attacking Little Mo’s rapist Graham Foster (Alex McSweeney) in The Queen Victoria pub in 2004.

The taxi driver was also pivotal in the controversial 2011 storyline which saw Kat and Ronnie Branning’s newborn babies swapped around after the barmaid’s little one died of cot death.

Charlie departed the square after being blamed by Kat for the incident as he left Tommy alone while he went out drinking. 

He made brief guest appearances afterwards in between 2011 and 2013, before retuning full time shortly before his death in 2016. 

Derek celebrated his 90th birthday in 2023 and rang in the milestone with his two sons, David and Jonathan. 

The actor has spoke openly about his own son David’s battle with depression in the past as his character dealt with a similar situation onscreen. 

Back in 2016 in Walford his great-niece Stacey Branning suffered from postpartrum psychosis and depression.

Charlie arrived in Walford with his four daughters, Kat (pictured), Lynne, Little Mo and Zoe as well as his mother-in-law Big Mo Harris

During his 15-years on EastEnders he became one of the soaps most loved characters and was involved in many family scandals

‘At work I had the Stacey storyline. Then, I got home and there was my son, who I’d been worried about during the day, suffering from severe depression,’ he told The Sun. 

In 2022, Derek stated the ‘miserable’ soap needs to bring back its humorous side, as fans fear for its future after ITV announced a huge schedule shake-up.

The actor said the series needs to stop focusing on appealing to younger viewers, and bring back some of its old scriptwriters.

EastEnders fans also expressed concern that their beloved soap could see its ratings plunge, after rivals Coronation Street and Emmerdale moved timeslots. 

Speaking to The Sun, Derek admitted the show has lost its focus on the key families, such as the Slaters, Mitchells and Fowlers. 

He added the show has became centred on appealing to younger viewers, and no longer includes lighter elements in favour of ‘affairs and beating people up.’

After arriving on the soap following the death of his wife Viv, Charlie had a brief fling with landlady Peggy Mitchell before dating Brenda Boyle

Pictured with Brenda

He served a three-month prison sentence for attacking Little Mo’s rapist Graham Foster (Alex McSweeney) in The Queen Victoria pub in 2004

The taxi driver was also pivotal in the controversial 2011 storyline which saw Kat and Ronnie Branning’s newborn babies swapped around after the barmaid’s little one died of cot death

Derek said: ‘You’ve got to have humour because there’s always something to laugh about in life.

‘You used to have Charlie, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Jim Branning (John Bardon) sitting at the allotments with a few beers, just talking about silly things. That’s what happens in real life. You need that on EastEnders.

‘I’ve nothing against youngsters. They’re the future, but it’s like the BBC is trying to turn EastEnders into Hollyoaks with so many youngsters, and everyone’s having affairs and beating people up.’ 

Outside of EastEnders he starred on Celebrity Coach Trip in 2012 with his co-star John Altman. 

Derek also held the role of King Rat for British entertainment industry fraternity, The Grand Order of Water Rats.