Royle Family star Peter Martin, who starred in the hit show as well as TV soap Emmerdale, has died at the age of 82, MailOnline has learned.
The well-known actor enjoyed a varied TV and film career, playing the Royles’ neighbour Joe Carroll alongside stars Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston for 14 years and Len Reynolds in ITV‘s Emmerdale from 2001 to 2007.
Peter was also memorable for his comedy role in a series of TV ads for builder’s merchants Jewson in the 1980s, when he played a confused customer listening to a salesman reel off a list of exotic timbers on offer.
In another version, he indulged in a spot of tap dancing across some newly-laid planks.
Royle Family star Peter Martin, who starred in the hit show as well as TV soap Emmerdale , has died at the age of 82
Emmerdale – Len (Peter Martin) and Pearl (Meg Johnson) surprised by a visit from their grandson Owen (Oliver Lee)
Peter’s family were from Hull, but as he was born in December 1941, his mother gave birth in Gainsborough, Lincs, because of the heavy bombing inflicted on the docks around the port.
He played hundreds of roles on stage, film and TV, including Coronation Street and All Creatures Great and Small. Other parts included the movie Brassed Off, opposite Ewan McGregor and Pete Postlethwaite.
In 1991, he stepped into the very different role of best man at his son Paul’s wedding.
‘You always hear of brothers being best men,’ Paul, his then 24-year-old hair salon owner, told the Hull Daily Mail.
‘But I am an only child and I thought it would be nice to have my dad there with me.
‘I get on really well with him. You can have best friends, but I don’t suppose you get anybody better than your dad.’
Peter said: ‘He asked who you who he should choose as best man and I said ‘your best pal.’
‘He said ‘who is a better friend to me than you?’ and I readily accepted.’
Despite his experience, his wife Carol confided to the newspaper that he had been a little nervous.
His other acting roles included playing the fish and chip shop man in First of the Summer wine, as well as ‘Charlie the moonlighting gravedigger’ in the Beiderbecke Tapes alongside James Bolam. He also appeared in Chucklevision, Playing the Field, Victoria Wood and Last of the Summer Wine.
The well-known actor enjoyed a varied TV and film career, playing Len Reynolds in ITV ‘s Emmerdale from 2001 to 2007
In 2007 he played Captain Mainwaring in a stage production of Dad’s Army with the late former EastEnders star Leslie Grantham playing cockney spiv Pvt Walker. In 2018, Martin played a role in the comedy film Walk Like a Panther alongside Stephen Graham and Stephen Tompkinson.
The long-running Jewson ads were revisited in 2011 when Peter was invited to meet the firm’s staff at a celebration.
He said at the time: ‘It’s been a very nostalgic day today and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since we first started in 1982. It’s been a really enjoyable time and they’ve really looked after me.’
In the village Barrow-upon-Humber, 16 miles from Hull, Peter was remembered fondly by friends.
One, Dave Shann, posted: ‘My friend, drinking partner, fishing buddy passed away on Wednesday morning. Very sad, many of you will know him from TV. RIP Peter Martiny, we had some great laughs.’
Fiona Teesdale said: ‘Very sad, enjoyed his company, will be missed.’
Jim Shann said ‘RIP Peter. A lovely gentle person.’
Terina Kiss posted: ‘Such a gentleman and kind soul. Rest in Peace, Pete, you will be missed greatly.’