Emmerdale actor Peter Martin has died aged 82

Peter Martin as Len Reynolds in Emmerdale
Peter Martin as Len in Emmerdale. (Image credit: ITV)

Actor Peter Martin, who starred in Emmerdale, The Royle Family and Brassed Off, has died aged 82, it has been announced. 

The actor, who became a household name in the 1980s thanks to his role in the Jewson adverts, passed away last week.

Martin enjoyed a varied and hugely successful career on stage, TV and in film, landing roles in Coronation Street and the original BBC series of All Creatures Great and Small, before joining the cast of Emmerdale

In Emmerdale he became a fan favourite playing the part of Len Reynolds between 2001 and 2007. Len was a loveable character who eventually found happiness again with the flamboyant character, Pearl Ladderbanks.

Peter Martin as Len in Emmerdale

Peter Martin as Len in Emmerdale.  (Image credit: ITV)

News of the actor's passing was revealed by a friend on Facebook, with a caption that read: "My friend, drinking partner, fishing buddy passed away on Wednesday morning, very sad, many of you will know him from TV, RIP Peter Martin, we had some great laughs."

Martin, who was born in Gainsborough, starred in many films, playing Ernie in 1996 film Brassed Off, which also starred Pete Postlethwaite and Ewan McGregor. 

In 2018 he returned to the big screen in the comedy film Walk Like a Panther alongside Stephen Graham and Stephen Tompkinson.

Peter Martin in The Royle Family as Joe Carroll

Peter Martin in The Royle Family as Joe Carroll.  (Image credit: BBC)

But the actor is probably best known for being in The Royle Family for 14 years where he played the Royles’ hilariously dead-pan neighbour, Joe Carroll, alongside Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston.

Ricky Tomlinson paid tribute to the actor. He said Mr Martin was an "absolute joy to work with and a brilliant actor", and that he would be "sadly missed".

Martin's other TV shows included Heartbeat, Playing the Field, Dalziel and Pascoe and children's TV show ChuckleVision.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.