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).
Yet, these comebacks are dwarfed by the programme’s most dramatic ‘return’ plotline, which unfolded back in 2003. The decision to bring back ‘Dirty’ Den Watts from the dead – despite the character being ‘killed off’ in 1988 – made headlines and sent the show’s ratings skyrocketing.
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Regrettably, for Leslie Grantham, the actor who portrayed Den, this comeback was to be his last hurrah. His second tenure on the show ended amidst scandal, causing his career to stumble.
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.
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.
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.”
On a brighter note, Leslie’s son, Daniel Laurie, is keeping the acting legacy alive with his regular appearance as Reggie Jackson in the BBC series Call The Midwife.
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