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Leslie Grantham , who famously played ‘Dirty Den Watts’ on EastEnders , has died , aged 71.
Fans of the actor have shared tributes online, many remembering Grantham’s performance as the landlord of the Queen Vic pub.
Having starred on the BBC soap since the very first episode in 1985, Grantham had many iconic moments.
The most famous scene came one year into the show, when Dirty Den handed Angie (Anita Dobson) divorce papers, signing off with the line: “Happy Christmas, Ange”. The episode was watched by over 30 million people and can be watched in full below.
Dirty Den was killed off in 1988 only to be resurrected in 2003 to the surprise of his adopted daughter Sharon (Letitia Dean). He would reach his ultimate demise in 2005 at the hands of his new wife, Chrissie (Tracy Ann Oberman).
Grantham died on Friday (15 June) morning, the death being confirmed by the actor’s agents, who said that a private funeral will be held would be held.
Reports earlier this week indicated Gratham has returned to the UK from Bulgaria where he had been living and was being closely monitored by doctors.
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Jamal Khashoggi Jamal Khashoggi was a well-connected, bilingual Saudi journalist who became a globally recognised symbol of press freedom and Middle East democratic aspirations during the 17 days he was officially missing. But he never lived to see the campaign by journalists, rights advocates and political leaders worldwide to draw attention to his disappearance and conditions for democracy advocates in Saudi Arabia. The Washington Post columnist had already died on 2 October under murky circumstances in his own nation’s diplomatic outpost in Istanbul, Saudi officials confirmed late on Friday. He was 59
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Arthur Mitchell Trailblazer of ballet who ran circles around racism in America died on 19 September, aged 84. He braved racist taunts for doing what he loved best – dancing – but once his talent was embraced by the great George Balanchine he was unstoppable
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Isabel Quigly Translator of Italian, Spanish and French literature died on 14 September, aged 91. An outstanding Cambridge scholar, she got a job at Penguin and went on to become a Booker judge and film critic for the Spectator
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Mac Miller Rapper who Trump called 'next Eminem' before he made his feelings known about the president died on 7 September, aged 26. Trump was denounced by the Black Lives Matter supporter as an ‘egomaniacal, attention-thirsty, psychopathic, power-hungry delusional waste of skin and bones’
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Burt Reynolds Charismatic star known for having fun both on and off the screen died on 6 September, aged 82. Reynolds was listed as Hollywood’s top-earning box-office star five years running from 1978 to 1982
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Alan Oakman England first-class cricketer who helped beat Australia at Old Trafford in the Fifties died on 6 September, aged 88. He was at his best on hard wickets against medium or fast-medium bowling when, using his immense reach, he would unleash a stream of majestic drives
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Inge Borkh The opera singer who became a star of the stage in postwar Germany as Elektra and Salome died on 26 August, aged 97. With a powerful voice and commanding stage presence, she triumphed in portraying any number of tempestuous operatic heroines
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures John McCain The war hero Republican whose last stand was against his party's own president died on 25 August, aged 81 Mr McCain was a principled conservative in the Senate, and once survived five years as a war prisoner.
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Kofi Annan Former UN secretary general and Nobel Peace Prize laureate died on 18 August, aged 80. The Ghanaian national was the first and only black African to be appointed as the world’s top diplomat, a tenure that saw him mediate in some of the biggest crises of the 21st century
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Aretha Franklin Queen of Soul who won 18 Grammys and sold 75 million records died on 16 August, aged 76. Regarded by many as the greatest singer of all time, Aretha Franklin bestrode 1960s and 70s R&B and sang at three presidents’ inaugurations
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Ellie Soutter Team GB snowboarder, Ellie Soutter, died on 25 July, aged 18. She secured Team GB’s only medal at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Turkey in 2017. She was was one of the country’s best up-and-coming snowboarders, competing in both snowboard cross and freeride
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Mary Ellis WWII pilot, Mary Ellis, who survived crash landings and Nazi bombs died on 24 July, aged 101. At a time when women in the cockpit were frowned upon, Ellis made a name for herself flying Spitfires to RAF bases to help the war effort
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Leslie Grantham The former Eastenders star died on 15 June aged 71. Grantham starred as "Dirty Den", known so for his many affairs, who was the landlord of the Queen Vic for the first four years of the show, returning briefly in 2003 before being killed off on the show's 20th anniversary episode
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Dorothy Cotton Civil rights leader, Dorothy Cotton, and confidante to Martin Luther King died on 10 June, aged 88. A key figure in the fight for racial equality, Cotton led marches and headed an education programme that taught African Americans about their basic rights of citizenship
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Anthony Bourdain The celebrity chef from New York died on 8 June, aged 61. Anthony Bourdain made a career recommending food and restaurants for people - and he didn’t shy away from letting people know when his hometown’s food offerings weren’t up to par
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Maria Bueno Four-time Wimbledon winner, Maria Bueno, who became a Brazilian tennis legend died on 8 June, aged 78. The female tennis pioneer won seven Grand Slam singles and captured the world’s attention with her grace and style
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Peter Stringfellow Nightclub entrepreneur, Peter Stringfellow, who booked The Beatles and brought table-dancing to Britain died on 7 June, aged 77. His brand was synonymous with sex but in spite of the sleazy nature of his venues, he managed to maintain an upbeat, nice-guy reputation
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Kate Spade New York fashion designer Kate Spade died on 5 June, aged 55. Best-known for her popular line of handbags, the American designer’s products were among the most popular accessories in the designer market, competing with the likes of handbag giants Coach and Michael Kors
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Philip Roth US novelist, Philip Roth, hailed as the greatest of his generation died on 22 May, aged 85. He became a literary star in the 1960s and continued to win awards and praise well into his later years with new, evocative works
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Ray Wilson England World Cup winner, Ray Wilson, died on 15 May, aged 83. A study in nimble poise and calm concentration, Wilson exuded style and efficiency, and although he shunned the limelight off the field, on it his voice could be heard constantly
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Tom Wolfe Audacious and inventive journalist and author, Tom Wolfe, who satirised the American pursuit of prestige died on 14 May, aged 88. His writing detailed the finer points of behaviour, trends, fashion and the pursuit of prestige that shaped the American social orderTom Wolfe signs copies of his novel 'Bonfire of the Vanities' in 1988
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Margot Kidder Actor, Margot Kidder, who played Lois Lane opposite Christopher Reeve in Superman films died on 13 May, aged 69. She spoke out against the First Gulf War and campaigned for abortion rights but both her political activism and her acting career took a backseat to her struggles with mental health
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Tessa Jowell Former Labour cabinet minister, Tessa Jowell, who helped to secure 2012 London Olympics died on 12 May, aged 70. In a political career spanning more than four decades and as a minister in three Blair administrations, Jowell was a trailblazer for women in politics. Diagnosed with a glioblastoma in May 2017, a rare, high-grade tumour and malignant cancer that can spread quickly to other parts of the brain and spine, it came without warning and with none of the symptoms. Stoic, Jowell displayed passion, determination and a sense of mission, which had been the hallmark of her political career, in a bid to change the way cancer was dealt with
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Verne Troyer The actor died on 21 April, aged 49. Widely known for his role as Mini-Me in Austin Powers, Troyer also appeared in the Harry Potter series
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Avicii The musician, whose real name is Tim Bergling, died on 20 April, aged 28. A pioneer of EDM, and one of the most successful DJs in the industry, the musician found crossover pop success with his 2011 track ‘Le7els’, which sampled Etta James, going platinum in the US and becoming a number one single internationally
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Barbara Bush Barbara Bush, the matriarch of most powerful US first family in recent times died on 17 April, aged 92
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Winnie Mandela The ANC activist died on 14 April, aged 81. Winnie fought tirelessly against apartheid in South Africa, becoming a figurehead for the movement while her husband Nelson was in prison
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Ray Wilkins International footballer, Ray Wilkins, who was handed the Chelsea captaincy at 18 died on 4 April, aged 61. Blessed with an adhesive touch and a calm temperament, Ray Wilkins went on to win the double with the Blues as assistant coach and was hailed as a gentlemen of the game
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Stephen Hawking The theoretical physicist died at the age of 76, on 14 March. The iconic physicist is known as one of the greatest scientific minds in the history of the world, and worked to peer into the most mysterious parts of the universe. Hawking was known also for the accessible way in which he communicated those discoveries, with his work including A Brief History Of Time making its way into pop culture
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Marielle Franco The politician was brutally murdered in downtown Rio de Janeiro on 14 March, in what officials have concluded was a targeted political assassination. A black LGBT+ woman in a country notoriously dominated by racism, sexism and traditional religious dogma, she was raised in one of Rio’s largest, poorest and most violent slums, the Maré complex
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Ken Dodd The comedy legend died aged 90, on 11 March. Sir Ken, famous for his epic stand-up shows which could go on for hours at a time, as well as his Diddy Men and tickling stick, died just days after leaving hospital
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Hubert de Givenchy The founder of the eponymous French fashion house died aged 91, on 10 March. In an impressive career that spanned more than five decades, Givenchy was renowned for dressing the likes of Jackie Kennedy, the Duchess of Windsor and Audrey Hepburn, his long-time muse
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Davide Astori The footballer died after a cardiac arrest aged 31 on 4 March. He was captain of Fiorentina, and an Italian international with 14 appearances for the national side
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Roger Bannister Athlete who broke four-minute mile, Roger Bannister, died on 3 March, aged 88. Sir Roger gave up running to pursue long and distinguished medical career
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Sridevi Bollywood superstar, Sridevi, who starred in 300 films and was hailed as ‘India’s Meryl Streep’ died on 24 February, aged 54. She started off as a child star of Tamil-language cinema and then got her big break in Bollywood where she established herself as a low-key legend
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Emma Chambers The British actress, best known for her roles in ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ and ‘Notting Hill’, died aged 53, on 21 February. A statement from her agency said: ‘Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many, and will be greatly missed.’
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures John Mahoney The actor, famous for his role in long-running TV show ‘Frasier’, died at the age of 77, on 4 February. The British-born star was on the show for 11 seasons spanning from 1993 through to 2004 and his character, Martin Crane, is a fan favourite
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Mark E Smith The lead singer and the main artist behind The Fall, died aged 60, on 24 January. Famous for his acerbic wit, Smith was the ever present member in the band, going through over sixty members in the group's fourty year duration
Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Hugh Masekela The legendary South African jazz trumpeter and anti-apartheid activist died on 23 January at the age of 78 after suffering from cancer. Masekela, branded the ‘father of South African jazz’, died in Johannesburg after what his family described as a ‘protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer’
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Jimmy Armfield The Blackpool legend and former England captain passed away, aged 82, on 22 January. The right-back played 627 matches for the Lancashire club between 1954 and 1971, and captained England 15 times in 43 appearances. He would later go on to manage Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United, before working as a pundit for the BBC for thirty years
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Ursula Le Guin The celebrated science fiction and fantasy author died at the age of 88, on 22 January. Among the author’s best-known works are the 1969 science fiction novel ‘Left Hand of Darkness’, which explores themes of gender by featuring characters with no fixed sex, and the 1968 coming-of-age story ‘A Wizard of Earthsea’
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Dolores O’Riordan The singer died on 15 January, aged 46. Born into a staunchly Catholic family, O’Riordan was 17 when she responded to a press advert for a female vocalist to join The Cranberry Saw Us, comprising brothers Noel and Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler, in 1989. Soon after she became lead singer, they became The Cranberries and cut a three-track EP on an independent label
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Notable deaths in 2018 – in pictures Cyrille Regis The former England footballer died from a heart attack aged 59, on 14 January. The ex-footballer, who scored 112 goals in 297 appearances for West Bromwich Albion, also turned out for Coventry City and Aston Villa in the top flight, as well as playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wycombe Wanderers and Chester City in the later years of his career before retiring in 1996. Regis was a pioneer for black footballers in Britain
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As well as EastEnders , Grantham is best known for appearing as Melinda Messenger’s co-host on the game show Fort Boyard in which he played the Master of the Fort who set the challenges the contestants must win.
Grantham, born in Camberwell in 1947, was convicted of murdering a German taxi driver in 1966 during an attempted robbery gone wrong. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and served ten years in various British prisons.
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