Leslie Grantham was a jewel in the crown of EastEnders as ‘Dirty’ Den Watts – but the actor sadly died with virtually no money to his name after an incredible downfall
EastEnders continues to bathe in the glory of it 40th anniversary celebrations back in February. Viewers were delighted by an epic live episode that saw the harrowing death of Martin Fowler (James Bye), although viewers couldn’t help spotting ‘blunders’ with Sonia and Linda during the special programme. For many months, the soap has also been indulging in a bit of nostalgia, welcoming back several familiar faces from the past, including from David Wicks (Michael French), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Chrissie Watts), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).
Angie (Anita Dobson), Den (Leslie Grantham) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) outside the Queen Vic(Image: BBC)
In 2004, a newspaper revealed then-57 year old Leslie had been exposing himself online, using a webcam in his EastEnders dressing room. Consequently, Den was written out of the show in early 2005, meeting his end for the second time after his wife Chrissie hit him on the head with an iron doorstop – and this time, there would be no miraculous resurrection.
Den served wife Angie their divorce papers on Christmas Day 1986
Following his departure from the limelight, Leslie did snag a part in The Bill, yet post-2005, his professional life was largely made up of panto and theatre gigs. Reports suggest that by 2018, when cancer claimed his life, Leslie was nearly destitute, having spent some of his last years in a friend’s spare room after his long marriage to Jane Laurie ended.
Daily Mail coverage indicated that the financially-stricken actor took measures to organise and pay for a ‘no frills funeral’, worried his family might otherwise be burdened with the cost. Possessing only scant shares in a business worth below £23,000 and a modest Bulgarian property, legal complexities meant his survivors – including his three sons with ex-wife Jane – wouldn’t inherit much.
Den was written out of the show in early 2005(Image: BBC)
A confidant revealed: “Leslie suffered from really bad money troubles the past several years, and worrying about it did his health no good. In fact, the stress of his financial situation probably speeded up his death as he was so frail.”
Detailing Leslie’s funeral preparations, the informant shared: “He paid for the whole event and left specific instructions about what he wanted. An average funeral costs £4,000 and he made sure it was all sorted.”
Chrissie hit Den with an iron doorstop(Image: BBC)
