Latest news with #LeslieGrantham
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders legend 'died virtually penniless' after blowing £1m fortune
Leslie Grantham was a jewel in the crown of EastEnders as 'Dirty' Den Watts – but the actor sadly died with virtually no money to his name after an incredible downfall EastEnders continues to bathe in the glory of it 40th anniversary celebrations back in February. Viewers were delighted by an epic live episode that saw the harrowing death of Martin Fowler (James Bye), although viewers couldn't help spotting 'blunders' with Sonia and Linda during the special programme. For many months, the soap has also been indulging in a bit of nostalgia, welcoming back several familiar faces from the past, including from David Wicks (Michael French), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Chrissie Watts), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). Yet, these comebacks are dwarfed by the programme's most dramatic 'return' plotline, which unfolded back in 2003. The decision to bring back 'Dirty' Den Watts from the dead – despite the character being 'killed off' in 1988 – made headlines and sent the show's ratings skyrocketing. Regrettably, for Leslie Grantham, the actor who portrayed Den, this comeback was to be his last hurrah. His second tenure on the show ended amidst scandal, causing his career to stumble. In 2004, a newspaper revealed then-57 year old Leslie had been exposing himself online, using a webcam in his EastEnders dressing room. Consequently, Den was 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 resurrection. Following his departure from the limelight, Leslie did snag a part in The Bill, yet post-2005, his professional life was largely made up of panto and theatre gigs. Reports suggest that by 2018, when cancer claimed his life, Leslie was nearly destitute, having spent some of his last years in a friend's spare room after his long marriage to Jane Laurie ended. Daily Mail coverage indicated that the financially-stricken actor took measures to organise and pay for a 'no frills funeral', worried his family might otherwise be burdened with the cost. Possessing only scant shares in a business worth below £23,000 and a modest Bulgarian property, legal complexities meant his survivors – including his three sons with ex-wife Jane – wouldn't inherit much. A confidant revealed: "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." Detailing Leslie's funeral preparations, the informant shared: "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." On a brighter note, Leslie's son, Daniel Laurie, is keeping the acting legacy alive with his regular appearance as Reggie Jackson in the BBC series Call The Midwife.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Cops share new CCTV after senior Comanchero bikie was left dumped outside hospital with gunshot wounds
New CCTV footage of a group of Comanchero bikies allegedly planning a shocking attack on one of their own has been released by police in a bid to solve the case. Leslie Grantham, 51, a senior member of the notorious gang, was found dumped with gruesome injuries outside Rockingham Hospital, in Perth, about 10pm on May 14. Grantham, nicknamed 'Lethal Les,' had burns and multiple gun shot wounds to his upper body and leg - believed to have been attempts to remove some of his tattoos. He was rushed to Perth Royal Hospital and has since been discharged, but is refusing to co-operate with authorities. CCTV released on Friday appeared to show a group of people arriving at Auburn Grove Train Station in three separate vehicles. Police believe the group were meeting and swapping vehicles as part of their plans for the alleged attack on Grantham. Detectives also released footage from after the incident, which showed one of the vehicles from the earlier meeting entering Rockingham Hospital emergency department carpark. That car was a white and grey Holden dual-cab utility, with WA registration 1BFC417. Police believe the ute was used to transport Grantham to the incident location, and then to the hospital afterwards. Detective Senior Sergeant Todd White said police were continuing to seek public assistance in their investigation. 'If you're thinking of joining an outlaw motorcycle gang, think again,' he said. 'This man has been left with brutal, life-changing injuries due to his association with an outlaw motorcycle gang.' Grantham was previously jailed in 2017 over threatening to shoot a man unless he paid $10,000 to compensate a prostitute he had allegedly mistreated. He was also jailed in 2015 along with nine other Comanchero bikie members over a plot to extract 'protection' money' of $10,000 a month from the owners of a karaoke bar in Sydney's north shore. The Comanchero motorcycle gang was first established in Sydney in 1966 and has since grown to over 500 members nationwide. The patch features an old western wagon wheel on a red background.
