Former EastEnders star Leslie Grantham is very unwell, his spokesperson has confirmed.
The 71-year-old, who played Dirty Den Watts in the soap, is reportedly in a critical condition in the UK having returned from Bulgaria where he had been living.
According to The Sun, the actor has been visited in hospital by close friends in the industry.
A representative for the actor asked for his privacy to be respected while a spokeswoman told The Sun: “It’s true that Leslie is very poorly.”
Read more: Next week’s EastEnders in 10 shocking pictures
Leslie left the UK after splitting with his wife of 31 years, Jane.
In 2010, he spent time in Bulgaria filming TV series The English Neighbour.
Leslie shot to fame while playing Den Watts in EastEnders, originally from 1985 to 1989.
A 1986 Christmas Day episode of the soap drew in an audience of more than 30 million viewers, who watched as Grantham handed over divorce papers to his on-screen wife, Angie.Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook
The character was apparently killed off in 1989 after being shot next to a canal, with daughter Sharon even going to identify his body.
A 1986 Christmas Day episode of the soap drew in an audience of more than 30 million viewers, who watched as Grantham handed over divorce papers to his on-screen wife, Angie.
But in 2003 Den made a shock return to Albert Square where he was reunited with his daughter Sharon.
EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.