Royle Family star Peter Martin, who starred in both the hit show and TV soap opera Emmerdale, has died aged 82, MailOnline has learned.
The well-known actor enjoyed a varied TV and film career, playing Royles’ neighbour, Joe Carroll, alongside stars Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston and Len Reynolds for 14 years in ITV’s Emmerdale from 2001 to 2007.
Peter was also memorable for his comedic role in a series of TV advertisements for construction dealers Jodenon in the 1980s, playing a confused customer listening to a salesman unroll a list of exotic woods on offer.
In another version, he indulged in a bit of tap dancing over some freshly laid planks.
Royle Family star Peter Martin, who starred in both the hit show and TV soap opera Emmerdale, has died aged 82.
Emmerdale – Len (Peter Martin) and Pearl (Meg Johnson) are surprised by a visit from their grandson Owen (Oliver Lee)
The Royle Family – Joe Carroll (Peter Martin) and Mary Carroll (Doreen Keogh)
Peter’s family was from Hull, but as he was born in December 1941 his mother gave birth in Gainsborough, Lincs due to the heavy bombing of the docks around the harbour.
He has 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 the wedding of his son Paul.
“You always hear brothers being witnesses,” Paul, his then 24-year-old hair salon owner, told the Hull Daily Mail.
‘But I’m an only child and I thought it would be nice to have my dad there.
“I get on very well with him. You can have best friends, but I don’t think you’ll get someone better than your father.’
Peter said, “He asked who to choose as a witness and I said ‘your best friend.’
“He said ‘who is a better friend to me than you?” and I immediately accepted it.’
The well-known actor enjoyed a varied TV and film career, playing Len Reynolds in ITV’s Emmerdale from 2001 to 2007.
Peter Martin, who starred in TV soap opera Emmerdale, has died aged 82
He played the Royles’ neighbor Joe Carroll for 14 years
In the village of Barrow-upon-Humber, 16 miles from Hull, Peter (pictured here in Emmerdale) was fondly remembered by friends
Emmerdale’s Edna watches in horror as Len (Peter) kisses Pearl on the cheek – from 2003
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.
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 starred in the comedy film Walk Like a Panther alongside Stephen Graham and Stephen Tompkinson.
The long-running Jodenon ads were revisited in 2011 when Peter was invited to meet company staff at a party.
Peter’s family came from Hull, but was born in December 1941
He played hundreds of roles on stage, film and TV (pictured is a scene from Emmerdale)
He said at the time: ‘It’s been a very nostalgic day today and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since we first started in 1982. It was a very enjoyable time and they really took care of me.’
In the village of Barrow-upon-Humber, 16 miles from Hull, Peter was fondly remembered by friends.
One, Dave Shann, posted, “My friend, drinking partner, fishing buddy passed away Wednesday morning. Very sad, many of you will know him from TV. RIP Peter Martiny, we had a great laugh.”
Fiona Teesdale said: ‘Very sad, enjoyed his company, will be missed.’
Jim Shann said ‘RIP Peter. A sweet gentle person.’
Terina Kiss posted, “Such a gentleman and kind soul. Rest in peace, Pete, you will be sorely missed.”
