Former and current EastEnders stars have paid tribute to late actor Leslie Grantham.
Leslie, who played “Dirty” Den Watts in the soap, passed away on Friday aged 71.
Stars and fans have flooded Twitter with tributes, including Leslie’s former co-stars Tracy-Ann Oberman and Letitia Dean.
Read more: EastEnders star Leslie Grantham dies aged 71
Tracy-Ann, who played Den’s second wife Chrissie Watts, tweeted: “Really sorry to heart about Leslie Grantham. A very very good actor and one who created an iconic character with Dirty Den.”
Letitia Dean, who plays Den’s adopted daughter Sharon Watts in the soap, released a statement via the official EastEnders Press Twitter page.
She said: “I have very special memories of working with Leslie and will cherish them always.
“He looked after me in my early days and showed me the ropes, always with care and kindness.”
She added: “He never failed to make me laugh and I will remember him with love, affection and gratitude forever. See you up there Leslie. Thank you for everything. Love and respect always, Tish.”
Meanwhile, John Yorke, EastEnders’ Executive Consultant, said in a statement: “Everyone at EastEnders is deeply saddened to hear that Leslie has passed away.
“We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Fellow EastEnders legend June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton, also released a statement.
She said: “I was very fond of Leslie and am so sorry that he has gone.
“I always enjoyed talking to him, he made me laugh and always had a twinkle in his eye when he said outrageous things.”
She added: “He was a wonderful and special actor, witty and very talented. I shall remember him very fondly and with affection.”
Other EastEnders stars have also paid tribute to the acting legend.
Leslie played a key role in some of EastEnders’ most explosive storylines and remains one of the soap’s most famous stars.
Appearing in the series’ first ever episode in 1985, Grantham starred as Den Watts – later receiving the nickname “Dirty” after getting his adopted teenage daughter’s 16-year-old friend pregnant.
His tumultuous marriage to alcoholic wife Angie captivated the nation and more than 30 million people – at the time over half of the UK population – tuned in to the 1986 Christmas special to watch Den present her with divorce papers.
Grantham first left Albert Square in 1989 after a criminal gang he was involved with, called The Firm, tried to kill him.
Viewers were led to believe he had died, but the character returned to the soap in September 2003, when it was revealed he had faked his death and fled to Spain.
It later emerged that, while in exile, Den had remarried. His estranged wife, Chrissie, played by Tracy-Ann Oberman, joined him in Albert Square but was incensed by his repeated infidelity.
She ended up killing him in the Queen Vic, beating him over the head with an iron doorstop.
Eventually, Chrissie was jailed for the crime and Den was buried in his original grave next to Angie.
Grantham’s final appearance in EastEnders was on the soap’s 20th anniversary.
On Friday, a statement from Leslie’s representative said: “We formally announce the loss of Leslie Grantham, who passed away at 10.20am on the morning of Friday 15 June 2018.
“His ex-wife and sons have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time, and for there to be no approaches to them for information or comment.
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“They will not be making any statements to the media. They also ask that no photographs be taken of them in their grief.
“There will be a private funeral which will be attended by close family and friends only.”
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