EastEnders' Leslie Grantham died 'virtually penniless' after collapse of 31-year marriage

As EastEnders gears up for its 40th anniversary in February, the soap has been indulging in a bit of nostalgia, bringing back several beloved characters over recent months.

Audiences have been treated to appearances from David Wicks (Michael French), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Chrissie Watts) and Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer).

However, these comebacks are dwarfed by the show's most dramatic return plot, which took place in 2003 when producers decided to bring back arguably the most iconic character in the show's history. The resurrection of 'Dirty' Den Watts who was supposedly killed off in 1988 made headlines and sent ratings through the roof.

Unfortunately, for Leslie Grantham, the actor behind Den, this comeback marked his last hurrah. His second stint on the show ended in scandal, causing his career to stumble.

In 2004, a newspaper published explicit photos of Leslie taken via a webcam from his EastEnders dressing room. Den was subsequently written out of the show in early 2005, meeting his end for the second time after his wife Chrissie hit him on the head with an iron doorstop and this time, there would be no miraculous return from the dead.

Leslie, who once graced the screens in The Bill following his departure from a popular soap in 2005, sadly passed away from cancer in 2018 with barely a penny to his name. Reports suggest that the actor spent his final years living in a friend's spare room after his marriage of over three decades to Jane Laurie ended, leaving him 'virtually penniless', reports OK! Magazine.

According to the Daily Mail, Leslie had the foresight to arrange and pay for his own modest funeral, sparing his family the financial burden. His estate consisted of a minor stake in a business valued at under £23,000 and a humble abode in Bulgaria.

After accounting for 'complex taxes and legal fees', it appears his three sons, whom he shared with Jane, would inherit little.

A source close to Leslie during his last years claimed: "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."

The same source disclosed details about Leslie's funeral arrangements: "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."

Currently, Leslie's legacy continues through his son Daniel Laurie, who is known for his role as Reggie Jackson in the BBC series Call The Midwife.