Leslie Grantham, 71, fighting for his life
EASTENDERS actor Leslie Grantham is seriously unwell, it was reported last night.
The soap villain, who played Albert Square’s ‘Dirty’ Den Watts, was said to be ‘very poorly’, although the cause of his illness has not been revealed.
Grantham, 71, returned to the UK from Bulgaria where he has been living for a number of years to be closely monitored by doctors. A spokesman for the actor told The Sun: ‘It’s true that Leslie is very poorly.’
The London-born star has received secret visits from his close showbiz friends. One told the newspaper: ‘Those who are close to him are hugely worried and are praying for his well-being.’
Grantham moved to Bulgaria following the breakdown of his marriage to Jane after 31 years. The star learnt how to act while serving a ten-year jail term for the 1966 murder of a German taxi driver.
He landed his role in EastEnders seven years after his release, playing the Queen Vic landlord between 1985 and 1989. He returned to the soap in 2003 before being killed off two years later.
His media representatives were contacted for comment.