Emmerdale and The Royle Family actor Peter Martin passes away at the age of 82

Tributes are pouring in for Emmerdale and The Royle Family legend Peter Martin who died Wednesday morning at the age of 82.

Born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, the English actor was most known from his role as quiet neighbour Joe Carroll in BBC’s The Royle Family which he enjoyed for over a decade from 1998 to 2012, but rose to prominence through his work in television ads for Jewsons Hardware in the 1980s.

As well as starring in Emmerdale as Len Reynolds between 2001 and 2007 gaining a nomination for British Soap's Best Exit in 2008, Len had roles in television series such as Skins and Playing the Field as well as a small part in Ewan McGregor’s 1996 movie Brassed Off.

Peter’s most recent work was a film called Walk Like a Panther in 2018 where a group of 1980s wrestlers were forced to ‘don the lycra one last time when their beloved local pub is threatened with closure.’

News of Peter Martin’s death was confirmed by family and friends on Facebook with one saying: “My friend, drinking partner, fishing buddy [passed] away on Wednesday morning, very sad, many of you will know him from TV, RIP Peter Martin, we had some great laughs."

As other fans of Peter shared their condolences on social media, some paid tribute by referencing the famous scene where Peter’s character Joe Carroll in The Royle Family sings ‘Take Me Home, Kathleen’.