💔 DOUBLE TRΛGΣDY FOR AN EASTENDERS FAMILY: Derek Martin’s son has died just days after the beloved EastEnders icon passed away. Tributes describe David as “a gentle giant with a heart as big as he was.”

David Rapp alongside his father Derek Martin, an EastEnders star.
Sad news (Picture: Instagram/BBB Talent Agency/ITV)

Derek Martin’s son, David Rapp, has died just days after the EastEnders star.

Last week, it was announced that the Charlie Slater actor had passed away, aged 92.

Son David was with the actor when he died, a family friend confirmed in a statement. Now, BBB Talent Agency has confirmed to Metro that David has also sadly passed away.

‘Devastating news today. Just after losing his father. David has also passed away. The gentle giant whose heart was as big as he was. I couldn’t have wished for a better friend or workmate’, BBB Agency wrote on social media.

‘Rest in peace, David Rapp you will be missed! BBB HQ will never be the same.’

Derek Martin's son, David Rapp, dying just days after his father bbbtalentagency 2 d Devastating news today. Just after loosing his father. David has also passed away. The gentle giant whose heart was as big as he was. I couldn?t have wished for a better friend or workmate. Rest in piece David Rapp you will be missed! BBB HQ will never be the same
A talent agency confirmed his death (Picture: bbbtalentagency/Instagram)
TELEVISION PROGRAMME...EASTENDERS Picture Shows: DEREK MARTIN as Charlie Slater, LACEY TURNER as Stacey Slater and LAILA MORSE as Mo Harris. TX: Tuesday 16th May 2006 The Slaters try to listen in on Little Mo's conversation with Oliver. WARNING: Use of this copyrighted image is subject to Terms of Use of BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be used during the publicity period for the purpose of publicising EASTENDERS and provided BBC is credited. Any use of this image on the internet or for any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising or other commercial uses, requires the prior written approval of the BBC.
Derek played Charlie Slater in the soap (Picture: BBC)

The news comes just under two weeks after EastEnders paid tribute to Derek, who starred as Charlie Slater from 2000 until 2011.

‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Derek Martin. From the moment he arrived, Derek’s portrayal of Charlie Slater instantly cemented him in the hearts of the audience, as the head of one of EastEnders most iconic families.’

‘Charlie would do anything for his family, and much like his character, Derek would do the same for those around him. Derek was deeply loved by all those that worked with him at EastEnders and will always be remembered with great fondness.

‘Our love and thoughts are with his family and friends.’

Charlie Slater was the patriarch of the Slater clan, and was a prominent figure in great-niece Stacey Slater’s (Lacey Turner) life.

DEREK MARTIN as Charlie Slater. Generic. ** WARNING: Use of this copyrighted image is subject to Terms of Use of BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be used during the publicity period for the purpose of publicising EASTENDERS and provided BBC is credited. Any use of this image on the internet or for any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising or other commercial uses, requires the prior written approval of the BBC BBC Alexandra Thompson.
Charlie Slater was a hugely loved character in the show (Picture: BBC)

On the show, Stacey suffered with her mental health – something that Derek and David were also experiencing in their personal lives.

Speaking to Lorraine in 2016, Derek said:

‘I was going to work and Stacey in the storyline had bipolar and depression, and we couldn’t make out what it was [in the storyline], and then I’d go home, and there was my son, who I’d been worried about during the day that he was okay, suffering from severe depression too.

‘So I had it fictionally and I had it practically.’

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