Leslie Grantham

Born: April 30 1947
Where: Camberwell, London, UK

The actor and wine buff is best known for the role of landlord "Dirty" Den Watts in the long-running BBC soap EastEnders.

Primarily a TV actor, his appearances on the big screen have been few, including a big screen version of Waiting for Godot and the crime caper Shadow Run.

His early life was marred for a murder conviction for killing a taxi driver.

He made his TV debut as a signals sergeant in the series The Jewel in the Crown, which he followed with a minor role in the movie Morons from Outer Space.

In 1985 he pulled his first pint in the Queen Vic and remaied behind the bar for the next four years (returning in 2003).

TV roles included The Paradise Club and he starred on the big screen as Estragon in Waiting For Godot with Brian Blessed in 1991.

Extensive TV work followed but he did take time out to star with Michael Caine in the lame caper Shadow Run and opposite the comedienne Jo Brand in Crow's Next.

He also took up presenting duties on the adventure challenge Fort Boyard and had a wine buff spot on TV chat show This Morning.

Back on the big screen he had roles in the British comedies The Wedding Tackle with Adrian Dunbar and Lava alongside Tom Bell.

Recent work includes the gangster biopic of Charlie Richardson - Charlie - with his EastEnders screen wife Anita Dobson.