His representative says in a statement that the British actor passed away on Friday, June 15 at 10:30 A.M.
- Jun 16, 2018
AceShowbiz - Leslie Grantham, who played "Dirty Den" Watts in British soap "Eastenders", has died aged 71, his representative has confirmed.
On Wednesday it was reported the British actor was fighting for his life in hospital after returning to the U.K. from Bulgaria where he had been living. According to editors at The Evening Standard his representative announced his passing in a statement on Friday, June 15.
"We formally announce the loss of Leslie Grantham, who passed away at 10.20am on the morning of Friday 15th June 2018," it read. "His ex-wife and sons have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time. There will be a private funeral which will be attended by close family and friends only."
Grantham shot to fame while playing 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 (Anita Dobson). The character was apparently killed off in 1989 but he made a shock return to Albert Square in 2003.
Grantham was divorced from his wife of 31 years Jane Laurie in 2013, and is survived by his three grown-up children.
