Charlie Slater Eastenders

[Perdita]

EastEnders fans will see Charlie Slater make a brief return to Albert Square later this year, Digital Spy can confirm.

Actor Derek Martin - who played the character for a decade - has recently been filming a two-episode guest stint with the BBC soap and viewers can expect to see Charlie back on screen in a few weeks' time.

Charlie left the Square at the beginning of this year after his daughter Kat (Jessie Wallace) blamed him for the loss of her newborn son Tommy. He had failed to properly supervise the baby while a party was being held at the Queen Vic on New Year's Eve, paving the way for Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) to secretly swap the child with her dead son James.

Although Kat later made peace with Charlie, he went away to live with daughter Lynne after deciding that it was best for him to leave Walford.

Speaking of Charlie's forthcoming return, an EastEnders source today told DS: "Although they've had their ups and downs, Kat deeply regrets pushing Charlie away. The pair have a tearful reunion and there won't be a dry eye in the house."

Kat, her husband Alfie and the rest of Walford's residents are currently unaware of Ronnie's terrible secret - still believing that Tommy suffered cot death. However, the Moons are expected to be reunited with their child in April.

Meanwhile, show bosses are keeping the door open for more future appearances from Charlie once his latest stint on the Square is over.


DS

[lizann]

^ That is good news

[tammyy2j]

I am glad the door is open for more returns for him

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Derek Martin has revealed he had to rely on pain killers during filming to ease his agonising arthritis.

The actor - who has played taxi driver Charlie Slater since 2000 - suffered with the disease for decades, but was determined not to let it stop him appearing in Albert Square.

The 78-year-old, who has since had surgery to ease his discomfort, told the Daily Mail: "Sometimes I'd need pain killers from the on-set paramedics. I was in agony, but I'd make a joke of it."

He added: "I just hated the idea of going under the knife. I was also committed to my filming schedule and didn't want to stop for a minute."

After opting for an operation on his left knee last year, Derek returned to the soap, with a crew member following him around with a chair and walking sticks.

The veteran actor then had surgery on his right knee earlier this year, and returned to the show at the end of February.

Derek has vowed to stay fit and healthy so he can keep up with his EastEnders storylines.

He added: "I've got a lot of living to do and a lot of golf to play, and I want to continue acting - so my new knees have got to keep on working."

PA

[alan45]

Ex-EastEnders actor Derek Martin has revealed that his former co-stars are keen to have him back on the soap.

The 80-year-old said that Jessie Wallace - who plays his on-screen daughter Kat - and Shane Richie have been pleading with the show's producers for Martin's return.

The actor starred as Walford cab driver Charlie Slater from 2000 to 2011, before briefly returning to the role last Christmas.

He told The Sunday Mirror: "The show misses the older characters.

"Everyone, including Shane and Jessie, have been asking them upstairs, 'When can we have Derek?' and Dominic [Treadwell-Collins] has said he will see how it goes."

Martin previously expressed his desire to permanently return to EastEnders when he reprised his role for the three-episode stint in December.

He said: "Who knows, if Charlie goes down well this Christmas, maybe it will all become more permanent. Nothing's been said but I can't help hoping."

[alan45]

Ex-EastEnders actor Derek Martin has revealed that his former co-stars are keen to have him back on the soap.

The 80-year-old said that Jessie Wallace - who plays his on-screen daughter Kat - and Shane Richie have been pleading with the show's producers for Martin's return.

The actor starred as Walford cab driver Charlie Slater from 2000 to 2011, before briefly returning to the role last Christmas.

He told The Sunday Mirror: "The show misses the older characters.

"Everyone, including Shane and Jessie, have been asking them upstairs, 'When can we have Derek?' and Dominic [Treadwell-Collins] has said he will see how it goes."

Martin previously expressed his desire to permanently return to EastEnders when he reprised his role for the three-episode stint in December.

He said: "Who knows, if Charlie goes down well this Christmas, maybe it will all become more permanent. Nothing's been said but I can't help hoping."

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Derek Martin is being lined up for a possible return to the show, reports have revealed.

The actor has been in talks to reprise his role as Charlie Slater as part of a storyline that will air in the New Year.

Derek Martin
© PA Images / Ian West
Derek Martin

Martin told the Daily Star: "In December and January, I am going back to make a couple of episodes. I don't know what the storyline is but I am booked."

An EastEnders source confirmed the possibility to Digital Spy this morning (October 30), but said that the return has yet to be finalised.

The insider explained: "It hasn't been confirmed if Derek will be returning, as it is still a little while off yet as we are still at the planning stages."

Alfie tries to tell Kat the truth
© BBC
Kat with husband Alfie in EastEnders

Charlie last appeared in Walford in December 2013, when he visited his daughter Kat at Christmas. Prior to that, he appeared for two episodes in April 2011.

The character debuted on EastEnders in 2000 but made his final appearance as an Albert Square regular in early 2011.

[parkerman]

Hmmm. Coming back in December and January as part of a storyline to air in the New Year...

Charlie Slater revealed as Lucy's murderer!

[Dazzle]

Hmmm. Coming back in December and January as part of a storyline to air in the New Year...

Charlie Slater revealed as Lucy's murderer!

Now that would be an unexpected twist!

I'll be glad to see Charlie (Slater) back. Kat's going to need a shoulder to cry on when she finds out that Alfie started the fire.

[Perdita]

After news Kat and Alfie Moon will be heading back to EastEnders this Christmas, soap bosses have confirmed Derek Martin will also be returning as Charlie Slater for a guest appearance.

There are currently no further details about the circumstances of his return and it's unclear yet whether it will be welcome or troubled.

Charlie reveals to Kat that he has news and he is engaged!
© BBC

Derek says: "I'm so excited to be coming back into such a big and important storyline and I can't wait to get stuck in and be back with the family again."

Charlie was last seen in the Square in December 2013 when he returned to spend Christmas with Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie) - their last in the Queen Vic.

Her anger builds as she talks about the resentment she still holds for her mother for taking Zoe away.
© BBC

What we do know, however, is his return will set up the standalone BBC One drama that features Kat and Alfie in Ireland as they "search for answers to some very big questions..."

The pair were last seen on screen in May, when they jetted off for a new life in Spain after winning £1 million on a scratch card.

The "very big questions" the pair are dealing with are Alfie's brain tumour and the audience's knowledge that Kat has a secret son she knows nothing about.

It's set to be an explosive New Year in Albert Square... rocking the cobbles and the lives of the residents will never be the same again ...


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