Eastenders star Leslie Grantham was virtually penniless when he died

Eastenders actor Leslie Grantham ‘died virtually penniless’ according to a new report.

The TV star, who had recently returned to the UK for treatment after living for some time in Bulgaria, passed away on Friday morning aged 71. 

Grantham who had been battling terminal cancer is said to have planned and paid for his own ‘no frills funeral’, after fearing his family would have to cover the costs. 

These are the last pictures taken of former EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham just months before he passed away. The actor looks extremely frail and gaunt as he crosses the road

The TV star's hair was visibly thinning and looked grey when pictured just a few months ago

The TV star’s hair was visibly thinning and looked grey when pictured just a few months ago

He shares three children, Spike, 31, Jake, 29, and Daniel, 23, with his ex-wife, Jane Laurie, who he was married to for 31 years – who will receive nothing from his will.   

His only assets were a small share in a company worth less than £23,000, and a small home in Bulgaria.

It is believed to take months to sell and once ‘complex taxes and legal fees’ are taken into account, his family would not be left with much from the proceeds. 

A source close to him said: ‘Leslie suffered from really bad money troubles the past several years, and worrying about it did his health no good.

‘In fact, the stress of his financial situation probably speeded up his death as he was so frail. 

‘He paid for the whole event and left specific instructions about what he wanted. An average funeral costs £4,000 and he made sure it was all sorted.’ 

Despite being one of Britain’s biggest stars as scheming Den on Eastenders, with his storylines pulling in 30million viewers, Grantham failed to get UK telly roles in his final years. 

After his character was killed off in 2005 he was forced to take panto roles to make ends meet.

The actor admitted in an interview he was desperate to join Corrie but had been typecast by EastEnders. 

He spent some of his final years staying in the spare room of a friend’s house following the collapse of his 31-year marriage to actress Jane.   

Graham’s posture is poor as his shoulder are hunched forward. The star also appeared slightly slimmer than he had done in previous years. His appearance is not helped by the grey tinge in his skin

The actor who was known as 'Dirty Den' on EastEnders appears rather grey and struggling for breath as he crosses the road 

The actor who was known as ‘Dirty Den’ on EastEnders appears rather grey and struggling for breath as he crosses the road 

Images of the former soap star looking frail emerged weeks before his death, with the soap star hunched over and his hair thinning dramatically from previous years.

The small-screen actor’s face looks sunken as he trudges along in the pictures, which were taken in March.

Grantham’s condition appeared to have deteriorated rapidly, as photographs taken from 2017 show the actor with a far healthier glow and complexion.

The actor’s real life was often compared to a plot from a soap.  

Investigative journalist and former police detective Mark William-Thomas tweeted that he investigated Grantham based on information given to him regarding to Jimmy Saville case.

When asked by a follower whether there was any ‘foul play’, William-Thomas said he had ‘compelling evidence’ regarding his sexual antics.

However he came under attack for the timing of the tweet, which was hours after Grantham’s death was announced.   

Photographs taken of Graham last year him standing upright and having a much better complexion than he did in March

It is unclear what the actor passed away from

Photographs taken of Graham last year him standing upright and having a much better complexion than he did in March

A statement from his representative said: ‘We formally announce the loss of Leslie Grantham, who passed away at 10.20am on the morning of Friday 15th June 2018.’ 

Grantham had been visited by close friends from TV in the weeks before his death and he told some he had terminal cancer.

Hollyoaks actor Joe Tracini tweeted:  ‘Last week he could barely hold his head up or make a sound. I held his hand for a while, kissed his forehead and told him I loved him.

‘As I left, he bellowed – ‘What am I f****** dying or something?’ We’ll miss you, Les x’  

His agent said: ‘His ex-wife and sons have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time. There will be a private funeral which will be attended by close family and friends only.’ 

Leslie Grantham, pictured earlier this year filming in north London, has died aged 71

Leslie Grantham, pictured earlier this year filming in north London, has died aged 71

Grantham was best known for playing Den Watts alongside his on-screen wife Anita Dobson, who played Angie.

Grantham is pictured, right, with his ex-wife Jane Lawrie. They divorced in 2013

Grantham was best known for playing Den Watts alongside his on-screen wife Anita Dobson (left), who played Angie. He is pictured, right, with ex-wife Jane Lawrie. They divorced in 2013

EastEnders co-stars and friends paid tribute to the veteran actor soon after his death was announced.

Co-star Letitia Dean, who played his on-screen adoptive daughter Sharon, said: ‘I have very special memories of working with Leslie and will cherish them always. He and Anita looked after me in my early days and showed me the ropes, always with care and kindness.

‘He never failed to make me laugh and I will remember him with love, affection and gratitude forever. See you up there Leslie! Thank you for everything. Love and respect always, Tish. X’ 

Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale, said: ‘I’m deeply saddened to hear the very sad news. I have so many happy memories of working with Leslie, he was always great fun and we shared many laughs.

‘Those iconic Christmas episodes were legendary and they will always be part of EastEnders history. My heart goes out to his loved ones. ‘

Dot Cotton actress June Brown said he ‘always had a twinkle in his eye when he said outrageous things’.

Grantham moved to Bulgaria, where he is pictured in a show called The English Neighbour in 2011, following the break-up of his marriage. He had recently flown back to the UK

Grantham moved to Bulgaria, where he is pictured in a show called The English Neighbour in 2011, following the break-up of his marriage. He had recently flown back to the UK

Grantham looked tired when he was pictured in February filming a drama about the Kray twins

Grantham looked tired when he was pictured in February filming a drama about the Kray twins

Grantham looked tired when he was pictured in February filming a drama about the Kray twins

Grantham became famous playing Watts in EastEnders, originally from 1985 to 1989.

A 1986 Christmas Day episode drew an audience of more than 30 million viewers, who watched as Watts handed over divorce papers to on-screen wife Angie.

His character was apparently killed off in 1989 but made a shock return to Albert Square in 2003.

Grantham had originally been a soldier, having enlisted in the British Army in 1965 and being sent to West Germany with the Royal Fusiliers.

In 1966, however, he was involved in a struggle with a taxi driver he was attempting to rob in Osnabruck, Lower Saxony.

The driver, Felix Reese, was shot in the head and died and, in 1967, Grantham was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

It was during his time behind bars – he spent ten years in British jails – that he first took to acting.  

Grantham said he was so devastated after the scandal that he attempted suicide. 

Grantham, with co stars Anita Dobson, Tom Watt), Nick Berry, Gretchen Franklin and Gillian Taylforth in 1975

Grantham, with co stars Anita Dobson, Tom Watt), Nick Berry, Gretchen Franklin and Gillian Taylforth in 1975



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