Charlie Slater

EastEnders character
Charlie Slater
Portrayed by	Derek Martin
Created by	Tony Jordan
Duration	2000—
First appearance	4 September 2000
Date of birth	13 May 1941
Status	Widowed
Home	23 Albert Square
Occupation	Taxi driver
Family	Lynne, Kat, Little Mo, Belinda, Harry

Charles "Charlie" Slater is a character in the British soap opera EastEnders. He is played by actor Derek Martin, making his first appearance on 4 September 2000. He was played by Jason McGregor in flashbacks in 2001.

History

Charlie is the head of the Slater family, the first child of Frederick Slater and his wife Mary. His daughters have run him ragged with revelations and personal problems. His major character transformation began when his long suffering daughter Little Mo Mitchell was raped by Graham following a violent relationship with and rape by Trevor. Taxi driver Charlie decided that the wisest course of action was to re-enact Travis Bickle's vigilante attack on the rapist Graham while giving him a lift in his taxi. Charlie's plea of not guilty when Graham sued him cut little ice in the civil court, as he had already pleaded guilty to GBH in the criminal court and been sent to prison. Charlie was surprised to discover the taxi drivers' licensing authority did not consider vigilante justice an appropriate use of his licence, which was revoked. It is alleged that Charlie's character has matured a great deal as a result of this, from a lazy man to a family man looking out for his daughters. Charlie also had to support his niece and granddaughter Zoe Slater, who has aborted her baby but claimed she had a miscarriage. He has recently had to start wearing glasses, but said he can't get used to them. He and his mother-in-law are the only Slaters to have appeared constantly since their introduction, as his daughters have all left or taken several months break. On 1 November 2007, Charlie walked his great-niece Stacey Slater down the aisle as she prepared to marry Bradley Branning. He then gave a tearful speech at their reception, before proudly seeing them off as they left on their honeymoon to Lanzarote.

Family

• Father: Frederick Slater (deceased)
• Mother: Mary Slater (deceased)
• Brother: Harry Slater (deceased)
• Sister: Violet Slater (deceased)
• Wife: Viv Slater (deceased)
• Daughters: Lynne Hobbs, Kat Moon, Little Mo Mitchell, Belinda Peacock
• Grandson: Freddie Mitchell
• Granddaughters: Zoe Slater, Vivienne Hobbs (deceased)
• Nephew: Brian Slater (deceased)
• Niece: Zoe Slater
• Great nephew: Sean Slater
• Great niece: Stacey Branning

In popular culture

Charlie Slater, spoofed in 2DTV.

The character of Charlie Slater has been spoofed in the cartoon sketch show 2DTV. Also, when Derek Martin appeared as a guest star on the third series of Little Britain, he played himself and was constantly referred to by the character of Marjorie Dawes as "Charlie Slater".

External links

• Charlie Slater at bbc.co.uk