Charlie Slater

Name: Charlie Slater
First Appeared: 4th September 2004
Last Appeared: 30th October 2025
Played by: Derek Martin

Charlie Slater made his memorable entrance to Albert Square in September 2000. At the time, he was a taxicab driver and the widower of Viv Slater. He arrived with Viv’s mother, Mo Harris, and his five daughters: Lynne, Kat, Belinda, Little Mo, and Zoe. Alongside them was Lynne’s boyfriend, Garry Hobbs. Drama quickly followed as it was revealed that Kat was actually Zoe’s biological mother, a secret kept by Kat’s late mother, Viv. The revelation that Zoe’s father was Harry, who had raped a teenage Kat, added to the family’s turmoil. Charlie’s role as a protective father shone through when he attacked Little Mo’s rapist, Graham, and faced the consequences.

Over the years, Charlie’s relationships and family dynamics continued to evolve. In 2006, he ventured into online dating and met Brenda, a Salvation Army member. Their romance hit a snag when Brenda moved to Madeira, but Charlie’s return with a Russian woman named Orlenda only added more drama. When Orlenda was caught cheating, Charlie confronted her, leading to their breakup. Despite his personal challenges, Charlie remained a pillar of support for his family, particularly during Stacey’s struggles with bipolar disorder. His attempts to help his daughter highlighted his compassionate nature, even if they sometimes led to misunderstandings.

Charlie’s world was rocked when Kat returned to Albert Square in 2011, bringing danger with her. Despite the turmoil, including a false accusation of abandoning Kat’s newborn, Charlie tried to mend his fractured family relationships. However, feeling the weight of his actions and the strain on his family, he decided to leave Walford, only to return briefly to support Kat and her son, Tommy. His dedication to his family never wavered, even as he faced health issues, including a stroke, which brought the family together to care for him.

In 2016, Charlie made his final return to Albert Square following the birth of Stacey’s son, Arthur Fowler. During a heart-to-heart with Kat, Charlie admitted he knew about Stacey’s father, Brian’s, other family but did nothing to stop him. This revelation led to a heated confrontation and, tragically, a heart attack. In his final moments, Charlie expressed his love for Kat before passing away.