Leslie Grantham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leslie Grantham
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Leslie Grantham in 2007
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| Born |
Leslie Michael Grantham
30 April 1947 Camberwell, London, England
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| Died | 15 June 2018 (aged 71) Kensington, London, England
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| Alma mater | Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1982–2018 |
| Known for | Role of Den Watts in EastEnders (1985–1989, 2003–2005) |
| Spouse(s) |
Jane Laurie
(m. 1981; div. 2013) |
| Children | 3 |
Leslie Michael Grantham (born April 30, 1947 – died June 15, 2018) was an English actor. He was most famous for playing "Dirty" Den Watts in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Early Life and Beginnings
Grantham was born in Camberwell, London. His parents were Adelaide and Walter William Grantham. In 1965, when he was 18, he joined the Royal Fusiliers regiment of the British Army.
After leaving the army, Grantham decided to become an actor. He trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
First Acting Roles
In 1982, Grantham made his first TV appearance in a show called "Jake's End". The next year, he appeared in a sitcom called Goodnight and God Bless.
He was then cast as Kiston in the Doctor Who episode Resurrection of the Daleks (1984). He also played a signals sergeant in the TV mini-series The Jewel in the Crown (1984). Grantham also wrote a play called A Reason To Live, which won an award. He had a small part in the film Morons from Outer Space (1985).
Becoming a Star in EastEnders
In 1984, Grantham tried out for a new BBC soap opera called EastEnders. The show started in February 1985. He was offered the role of Den Watts.
His character, Den, owned The Queen Victoria public house. Den quickly became very popular. People often called him "Dirty Den" because of how he treated his wife, Angie Watts, played by Anita Dobson.
Famous EastEnders Moments
On Christmas Day in 1986, Grantham's character gave his wife divorce papers. He famously said, "Happy Christmas, Ange." This episode was watched by a record 30 million viewers. That was more than half the people in Britain at the time!
In 1988, Den sold his pub to Frank Butcher. Den's character slowly appeared less in the show. He left in February 1989. Grantham had decided to leave the show earlier in 1988.
Den got involved with a criminal group called "The Firm." He had to run away. Viewers saw a mysterious person shoot at Den. They then heard a splash. This happened in the episode on February 23, 1989. A scene showing Den's death was removed. This was in case Grantham might want to come back to the show later. The next year, a body was found in the canal. Everyone thought it was Den.
Other Acting Projects
After leaving EastEnders, Grantham played Danny Kane in the TV crime series The Paradise Club (1989–90). He also appeared in the game show Cluedo as Colonel Mustard.
Grantham also appeared in The Detectives (1993) and 99-1 (1994–95). In 1997, he helped make and starred in the sci-fi mini-series The Uninvited.
From 1998 to 2001, Grantham co-hosted the game show Fort Boyard with Melinda Messenger. He also appeared on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank in 2001. He worked again with his EastEnders co-star Anita Dobson in the mini-series The Stretch (2000) and the film Charlie (2004).
Return to EastEnders
During the 1990s, the BBC asked Grantham many times to return to EastEnders. He always said no. He felt the stories at the time were not right for his character to come back.
However, on May 3, 2003, it was announced that Grantham would return to EastEnders. He came back as Den after 14 years. On September 29, 2003, his return episode aired. He arrived at the nightclub E20, which was owned by his adopted daughter Sharon Watts.
It was revealed that Den had survived the shooting. He had gone to Spain with help from a friend. The body found in the canal earlier was not his. Over 17 million viewers watched his return. Den famously said, "Hello, princess."
There had been many rumors about whether Den was truly dead. The BBC said they had wanted Den to return almost every year since 1989. Grantham finally agreed in 2003. By then, his daughter Vicki Fowler had returned. Also, a son he didn't know about, Dennis Rickman, was in the show.
In December 2004, Den planned a trick to get back The Queen Vic pub. He had sold it 16 years earlier.
Leaving EastEnders Again
In November 2004, it was confirmed that Grantham would leave EastEnders again. The show's bosses said his character would be killed off for good this time.
On February 18, 2005, 16.2 million viewers watched Den's second exit. This time, his second wife, Chrissie Watts, hit him with a dog-shaped iron doorstop. This happened during an argument in the pub.
Life After EastEnders
After leaving EastEnders in 2005, Grantham appeared in two UK tours of a play called Beyond Reasonable Doubt. He also performed as a villain in Christmas pantomime shows. He directed and starred in a Peter Pan pantomime in St Albans in 2005. It was very popular and got good reviews.
In October 2006, it was announced that Grantham would appear in the police drama The Bill. He played Jimmy Collins, a character who was on the run from prison. This episode aired on February 8, 2007. Grantham had appeared in The Bill before, in 1998 and 1999.
In February 2010, Grantham appeared on EastEnders: The Aftermath. He was interviewed from The Queen Victoria pub. Grantham also got the main role in a UK thriller movie called DeadTime.
From November 28 to December 11, 2010, Grantham played Ebenezer Scrooge in a play of A Christmas Carol. He also played the main character, John, in a Bulgarian TV series called The English Neighbour. In 2015, he appeared in the film Mob Handed.
Personal Life and Passing
Grantham married Jane Laurie from Australia in 1981. They had three sons. They divorced in 2013. His son Daniel Laurie is also an actor. He plays Reggie Jackson in Call the Midwife.
In June 2018, it was reported that Grantham had returned to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. He passed away on June 15, 2018, at the age of 71. That evening, EastEnders showed a tribute to him. His co-star Anita Dobson said he was "a wonderful and special actor, witty and very talented."
Selected Filmography
- Vengeance (2020) – Ronnie
- The Krays: Dead Man Walking – Nipper Read
- Jack southeast (2018) – The boss
- Silenced: Georgi Markov and the Umbrella Murder (2013) – Narrator (English version)
- The English Neighbour (2011) – John
- The Bill (2007) – Jimmy Collins (1 episode)
- Charlie (2004) – Richard Waldeck
- Heartbeat (2002) – George East (1 episode)
- The Stretch (2000) – Terry Greene
- Bernard's Watch (1999) – Mr. Rattle (Series 3; Episode 13)
- The Bill (1998) – Jimmy Smith (4 episodes)
- Fort Boyard (1998–2001) – Boyard (57 episodes)
- Wycliffe (1997) – Patrick Durno (1 episode)
- The Uninvited (1997) – Philip Gates
- 99-1 (1994–95) – Mick Raynor
- The Detectives (1993) – Danny Kane (1 episode)
- Cluedo (1993) – Colonel Mustard (6 episodes)
- Woof! (1992) – Mr Flint (1 episode)
- The Grove Family (1991) – Bob Grove (1 episode)
- The Paradise Club (1989–1990) – Danny Kane (20 episodes)
- Winners and Losers (1989) – Eddie Burt (3 episodes)
- Alas Smith & Jones (1986) – (1 episode)
- EastEnders (1985–1989, 2003–2005) – "Dirty" Den Watts (562 episodes)
- Morons from Outer Space (1985) – motorway policeman
- Dramarama (1984) – Mo's dad (1 episode)
- The Jewel in the Crown (1984) – signals sergeant
- Doctor Who: Resurrection of the Daleks (1984) – Kiston (2 episodes)
- Goodnight and God Bless (1983) – Frank (1 episode)
