The convicted murderer who became one of Britain's most iconic television villains
In short: Leslie Grantham was an unlikely star, transitioning from a ten-year prison sentence for killing a taxi driver to playing the legendary Dirty Den in EastEnders. His career was defined by massive ratings, a shocking online scandal, and a complex relationship with the fame that followed his notorious on-screen persona.
Born in 1947, Leslie Grantham’s life took a dark turn in 1966 while serving in the British Army in West Germany. Attempting to clear debts, he tried to rob a taxi driver named Felix Reese at gunpoint. During the struggle, Grantham shot and killed Reese, leading to a murder conviction and a decade in prison. Upon his release, he pivoted to acting, training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art before securing his breakout role as Den Watts in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1985.
As the landlord of The Queen Victoria pub, Grantham’s character became a national phenomenon, famously serving his wife divorce papers on Christmas Day 1986 to an audience of 30 million viewers. Despite the BBC knowing of his criminal past, the public embraced him until his character’s dramatic exit in 1989. The show’s producers left his fate ambiguous, hoping for a return that finally materialized in 2003. His comeback drew 16.66 million viewers, though his second tenure was marred by a 2004 webcam scandal that ultimately led to his character being killed off permanently in 2005.
Grantham’s later years were marked by diverse stage and screen work, including roles in The Bill and a Bulgarian television series. He faced further controversy in 2018 when reports surfaced regarding a police investigation into historical abuse allegations, though no charges were pursued. Grantham died in June 2018 at age 71 after returning to the United Kingdom for cancer treatment. While his life was punctuated by severe legal and personal turmoil, he remained a significant figure in British television history, remembered by colleagues as a talented and witty performer.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Leslie Grantham
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