Actor Leslie Grantham, who played Dirty Den in Eastenders, has died aged 71

EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham has died aged 71, it has been confirmed.

The actor appeared in EastEnders from 1985 to 1989, playing the popular character 'Dirty Den' in the soap, before later returning to the show in 2003. Earlier this week it was announced that Grantham had returned to the UK from Bulgaria, where he had been starring in a show called The English Neighbour, to receive medical attention. A representative for Grantham confirmed his passing on Friday morning.