Leslie Grantham

Leslie Grantham, a British actor renowned for his compelling performances, rose to prominence in 1985 with his portrayal of Den Watts, the infamous landlord of the Queen Vic in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. His character, often referred to as "Dirty Den," became a household name due to his turbulent relationship with his wife Angie, played by Anita Dobson, and his involvement in various illicit activities. Grantham chose to have Den killed off in 1988, shot by gangsters he had betrayed. However, he made a sensational return to the show in 2003, revealing that his character had faked his death to escape to Spain. Speculation suggested that Grantham was enticed back with a lucrative £500,000-a-year contract, drawing an impressive 17 million viewers for his comeback, although a record 30 million had tuned in for Den’s Christmas Day divorce from Angie in 1986.

In 2005, Den Watts met his final demise in a gripping episode watched by 16.2 million viewers, following Grantham's involvement in an online scandal that surfaced the previous year. Grantham's life was not without controversy; in his youth, he was convicted of murder after a tragic incident during a robbery attempt while serving as a soldier in West Germany, resulting in a decade-long prison sentence.

After his release in 1977, Grantham pursued acting, guided by notable figures such as T. Dan Smith and Louise Jameson. Beyond EastEnders, he starred in the BBC dramas The Paradise Club and 99-1, as well as other television shows and films, solidifying his legacy in British television. Grantham passed away on June 15, 2018, after a brief illness, leaving behind a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.