HE'S the subject of the most dramatic storyline in soapland so far this year.

And now he'll be making his way to Southampton to star in our annual celebration of the stage.

Eastenders actor Derek Martin will be the special guest at the Daily Echo Curtain Call Awards later this month, we can reveal.

He finally said goodbye to Walford this month after playing cabbie Charlie Slater for 15 years.

The soap favourite, considered the patriarch of Eastenders and part of one of the soap's most celebrated families, died after suffering from a heart attack in the middle of a furious row with daughter Kat Moon.

Fans took to social media to say they were heartbroken at the scenes, which saw Kat make her peace with Charlie moments before he passed away. He had begged for forgiveness after she discovered that she had given birth to twins as a teen, and had a son taken away from her.

Although Derek left Albert Square in 2011, he has made sporadic reappearances since.

The 82-year-old has been in hot demand since the 70s, despite no formal acting training.

He did National Service in the Royal Air Force and was employed in a host of jobs, including working at Smithfield Meat Market. He got into television as an extra on Z Cars (1962) and went on to become a stuntman, performing in many Doctor Who (1963) serials, especially during the action-packed Jon Pertwee era of the early 1970s.

After an injury on Elizabeth R (1971), Martin decided to retire from stunts and pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He returned to Doctor Who (1963), this time as an actor, in a small part in Doctor Who: Image of the Fendahl: Part One (1977), starring Tom Baker as the Doctor, but his big breakthrough was as a corrupt policeman in the controversial Law & Order (1978).

Other highlights of his career have included King and Castle, Linda La Plante's The Governor and Eldorado.

He made guest appearances in Only Fools and Horses, The Sweeney, Upstairs, Downstairs and The Bill and played himself in an episode of Little Britain.

Dubbed the Oscars of the South, the Daily Echo Curtain Call Awards celebrate the very best in amateur theatre across the South.

Derek Martin will be opening the golden envelopes to reveal the winners in each of 37 categories, including the coveted Production of the Year. at the Grand Harbour Hotel on Friday January 29.

He will also regale the audience with tales from his time on TV at the sold out event.