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EastEnders star Derek Martin's son David Rapp has died just days after the actor's passing at the age of 92.
Derek, who was best known for his role as taxi driver Charlie Slater in the BBC soap, died earlier this month in hospital.
David was with his father when he passed away, and in a statement shared by the BBB Talent Agency on Thursday, it was revealed that he has also died.
A post on social media read: 'Devastating news today. Just after losing his father. David has also passed away. The gentle giant whose heart was as big as he was. I couldn't have wished for a better friend or workmate.
'Rest in peace, David Rapp you will be missed! BBB HQ will never be the same.'
David worked for the talent agency BBB, which represents various TV stars, models and musicians in Scotland, and no cause of death has been shared.
EastEnders star Derek Martin's son David Rapp has died just days after the actor's passing at the age of 92
Derek, who was best known for his role as taxi driver Charlie Slater in the BBC soap, died earlier this month in hospital
Derek previously opened up about his son's battle with 'severe depression' in an interview for the mental health campaign Time To Change.
At the time, the actor had been involved in an EastEnders storyline which saw Charlie Slater's granddaughter Stacey diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2009.
He said: 'When it first came out that he had depression, David my son, it was all completely new to me.
'As I said I've heard people saying they've got depression. You just thought "Well take a tablet it'll be alright." Or in David's case he was 18 I thought to myself teenager, being a bit bolshie, bit full of himself.
'You just naturally at my age would think that. And it's only that when I was more enlightened and as the years have gone on that we now talk and we've got it to a point where I understand exactly certain days are good days, certain days are not good days.
David said at the time: 'For me the hardest thing is not only dealing with the illness but also dealing with the reaction to the illness and when you've got close family members putting on you that you can just snap out of it or this or that.
'And it's not like that. If it was that easy you would just snap out of it.
David was with his father when he passed away, and in a statement shared by the BBB Talent Agency on Thursday, it was revealed that he has also died
Derek previously opened up about his son's battle with 'severe depression' in an interview for the mental health campaign Time To Change
It comes just over a week after Derek, the beloved actor who starred as doting father and taxi driver Charlie Slater in EastEnders, died aged 92
When Derek passed away earlier this month, a statement shared by BBB Talent Agency said David would 'be taking some time away'
'And certainly by talking and to an extent educating by letting my dad know what it's like and giving him the understanding, he was able to better help me cope with what I was going through.'
He also told Lorraine in 2016: 'I was going to work and Stacey in the storyline had bipolar and depression and everything, and we couldn't make out what it was, storyline wise.
'And then I was going home and there was my son who I'd been worried about during the day, that he was OK, suffering from severe depression so I had it fictionally and practically.'
It comes just over a week after Derek, the beloved actor who starred as doting father and taxi driver Charlie Slater in EastEnders, died aged 92.
The former East End butcher, who launched himself into the world of acting without ever training or performing on stage, passed away in hospital.
At the time, BBB talent agency shared a tribute to Derek, where they said that 'David would be taking some time away.'
They wrote in the caption: 'Condolences to our David in the passing of his Dad Derek. David will be taking a little time out just now. Sending love and prayers from the entire BBB Family.'
Others shared their sympathies for Derek in the comments, writing: 'My thoughts go out to you and your family David; My condolences, David.'
'My condolences David during this difficult time.'
At the time, Derek's two sons David and Jonathan said: 'Derek wasn't just a dad to us he was a friend and supported us through our highs and lows. He never stopped learning, he loved meeting people and was always generous with his time. We both miss him terribly.'
Derek starred in various roles over more than five decades, but he was best known for playing the beloved Charlie Slater on EastEnders for 15 years.
His character was a taxi driver who first arrived in Walford in 2000 with his mother-in-law Mo Harris and his four daughters Lynne, Kat, Little Mo and Zoe.
The mild-mannered cabbie was loved for his role as the devoted, protective patriarch of the predominantly female Slater family.
Derek, who was born in Bow, east London, in April 1933 left the soap when his character suffered a fatal heart attack in 2016.
Charlie Slater was loved for his role as the devoted, protective patriarch of the predominantly female Slater family. Pictured left to right: Gary (Ricky Groves), Lynne (Elaine Lordan), Charlie (Derek Martin), Zoe (Michelle Ryan), Maureen (Kacey Ainsworth) and Kat (Jessie Wallace)
EastEnders today said it was 'deeply saddened' by the star's death, adding: 'Charlie would do anything for his family, and much like his character, Derek would do the same for those around him.'
Martin previously revealed how he launched his acting career after leaving his job at Smithfield Meat Market in 1962. He also did National Service in the Royal Air Force and worked a host of jobs including digging roads, working in factories, motor racing and professional gambling.
But he later ended up doing the job he dreamed of, revealing: 'I had always been a big film fan for as long as I can remember. Where I grew up, in the East End, there were dozens of cinemas and some of my earliest memories are of going off to the cinema. When I was a young man I would go at least 3 times a week.'
The late actor said he found himself an agent by going to a café in Soho where he knew actors frequented.
Martin began his acting career as a stuntman, appearing in several episodes of Doctor Who. But after breaking his collar bone while filming the drama Elizabeth R in 1971, he moved into acting.
Over the following decades, Martin became a familiar face on TV, appearing in shows such as Z-Cars, Softly Softly, The Sweeney, Minder, Bergerac, The Bill and even Little Britain - as himself.
He said the role that launched his career was when he played Detective Inspector Fred Pyle in Law and Order in 1977. The series highlighted the injustices caused by police corruption.
He also went on to play Ronald King in King and Castle and Gary Marshall in The Governor, but his best-known role was as Charlie Slater in EastEnders which he took on in 2000.
Away from the screen, Martin had a passion for golf and football and he was a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats - an entertainment charity and fraternity which was founded in 1889.
Fellow members of the Grand Order of Water Rats today spoke fondly of Martin, who held the role of 'King Rat' from 2010 to 2011.
They will be paying their respects to him at a meeting today as is custom when one of their members passes away. Those who knew Martin will pay tribute to him as they bid farewell to the 'distinguished' actor.
Ian Richards, also a former King Rat, wrote on Facebook today: 'So very sad to hear of the passing of PKR Derek Martin, 'king of the eggs' - if you know, you know.
'A genuinely warm and funny man who's company always had me rolling in laughter, his massive charity work, largely unreported, but never dismissed by those who knew him well. RIP Derek the world is a sadder place without you.'
Steve Hewlett, a ventriloquist and member of the Water Rats, said: 'Derek Martin will be truly missed. He made my Water Rats visits magical and hilarious. RIP sir.'
And Ian Henry, another fellow Water Rat, penned: 'It was a joy to be in his company. He had so many stories and was a very funny man. He achieved so much in his long and distinguished career, not least his iconic portrayal of Charlie Slater in Eastenders for so many years. His presence will be sorely missed.'
Martin was married twice to Christine Rigg and Gloria Mitchell, but both ended in divorce. He had two sons, Jonathan and David.
During his 15 years on EastEnders, Charlie Slater became one of the soap's most loved characters and was involved in many family scandals.
After arriving on the soap following the death of his wife Viv, Charlie had a brief fling with landlady Peggy Mitchell before dating Brenda Boyle.
He served a three-month prison sentence for attacking Little Mo's rapist Graham Foster (Alex McSweeney) in The Queen Victoria pub in 2004.
The taxi driver was also pivotal in the controversial 2011 storyline which saw Kat and Ronnie Branning's newborn babies swapped around after the barmaid's little one died of cot death.
Charlie departed the square after being blamed by Kat for the incident as he left Tommy alone while he went out drinking.
He made brief guest appearances afterwards in between 2011 and 2013, before returning full-time shortly before his off-screen death in 2016.
Martin celebrated his 90th birthday in 2023 and rang in the milestone with his two sons, David and Jonathan.
The actor had spoken openly about his own son David's battle with depression in the past as his character dealt with a similar situation onscreen.
Back in 2016 in Walford, his great-niece Stacey Branning suffered from postpartum psychosis and depression.
Charlie arrived in Walford with his four daughters, Kat (pictured), Lynne, Little Mo and Zoe as well as his mother-in-law Big Mo Harris
Derek Martin is pictured in 1980s police drama The Gentle Touch
Derek Martin stars alongside Christopher Fulford in King and Castle in 1988
Derek Martin starred as Ronald King in King and Castle
Charlie Slater was last seen on EastEnders in 2016 when the beloved cab driver passed away after suffering from a heart attack off-screen
During his 15 years on EastEnders he became one of the soaps most loved characters and was involved in many family scandals
The actor said the series needs to stop focusing on appealing to younger viewers, and bring back some of its old scriptwriters.
He admitted the show has lost its focus on the key families, such as the Slaters, Mitchells and Fowlers.
He added the show has became centred on appealing to younger viewers, and no longer includes lighter elements in favour of 'affairs and beating people up'.
Martin said: 'You've got to have humour because there's always something to laugh about in life.
'You used to have Charlie, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Jim Branning (John Bardon) sitting at the allotments with a few beers, just talking about silly things. That's what happens in real life. You need that on EastEnders.
'I've nothing against youngsters. They're the future, but it's like the BBC is trying to turn EastEnders into Hollyoaks with so many youngsters, and everyone's having affairs and beating people up.'
Outside of EastEnders he starred on Celebrity Coach Trip in 2012 with his co-star John Altman.
Martin's family have asked for their 'privacy to be respected at this difficult time'.
His agent, Sharon Henry, said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that I can confirm that our beloved client Derek Martin passed away on 10th January 2026.
'For over 50 years, Derek was a truly authentic working-class voice in British television and film.
'It was a privilege to be a part of his creative journey in a career which included highlights such as Law And Order for the BBC and two series of The Governor produced by La Plante Productions. He is best known for his role on EastEnders, where he cherished his time portraying Charlie Slater.
'Derek was a devoted father, a generous member of the charitable Water Rats, avid golfer and all-around good man who will be greatly missed.'
An EastEnders spokesperson said: 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Derek Martin.
'From the moment he arrived, Derek's portrayal of Charlie Slater instantly cemented him in the hearts of the audience, as the head of one of EastEnders most iconic families.
'Charlie would do anything for his family, and much like his character, Derek would do the same for those around him. Derek was deeply loved by all those that worked with him at EastEnders and will always be remembered with great fondness. Our love and thoughts are with his family and friends.'