‘So sad, such a lovely man’: Touching tributes pour in for The Royle Family and Emmerdale star Peter Martin who has died aged 82
Tributes have poured in for The Royle Family and Emmerdale star Peter Marin who has died at the age of 82.
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.
On social media many friends, fans and colleagues have paid tribute to the memorable star.
Fellow Emmerdale actor Sherrie Hewson wrote: ‘So sad such a lovely man.’
One fan penned: ‘Peter Martin has died now! Loved him in the Royle Family what a rubbish 2023 already’
‘So sad, such a lovely man’: Tributes have poured in for The Royle Family and Emmerdale star Peter Marin who has died at the age of 82
Peter Martin (top right) on set with other cast members of the Royle Family
Another said: ‘Very sad to hear of the passing of Peter Martin (Joe from The Royle Family) amazing actor and singer. RIP Peter)
One commented: ‘Very sad to hear that Peter has passed away’
A friend of Peter’s penned: ‘RIP Peter. A joy to watch and a lovely man when I met him’
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.’
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.
Talent: 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
Tribute: On social media many friends, fans and colleagues have paid tribute to the memorable star
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 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.
Emmerdale – Len (Peter Martin) and Pearl (Meg Johnson) surprised by a visit from their grandson Owen (Oliver Lee)
The Royle Family – Joe Carroll (Peter Martin) and Mary Carroll (Doreen Keogh)
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.’
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