EastEnders fans are reeling. A beloved character is gone forever. His exit was brutal and unexpected. The actor who played him is finally speaking up. He says killing the character was the only way left. Keep scrolling to learn more.
The End Of An Era
Martin Fowler was an original, a real piece of the Square’s history. He was the very first baby born in Walford. That was back in 1985. Two other actors played him before James Bye took over. Everything he went through on the Square made it feel like a lifetime. It was full of big, messy moments. He faked his death one time, and he even survived a bus crash; it was insane.
He found a real, chaotic love with Stacey. But their happy ending? It was just completely stolen from them. The end came during the 40th anniversary. It was a live episode of all things. That made everything so much more intense. Then a steel beam crashed down on Martin, pure, terrible chaos. Paramedics lifted the beam. But his body just gave up. Right there, he went into cardiac arrest and died, a legacy character, gone for good.
EastEnders Actor’s Final Curtain
James Bye, who played Martin for years, says the role turned his life upside down. Saying goodbye hit him hard. But he loved that live episode. He likes taking big risks. He thinks killing off the character was the right call. The show needed a huge moment. Nobody expected Martin to die. He was just that normal guy, the bloke next door. That’s exactly what made his death so effective, so shocking. Telling Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, was one of the hardest moments.
He wanted to be the one to inform her. They had been through so much. The rehearsals were a total mess because of it. The director even said they needed more anguish. But Lacey? She was already a wreck. She cried the whole time. James asked her to stop, but she couldn’t control it. Then came the final rehearsal.
Stacey walked away from his dying body. And that’s when James completely lost it. The tears came pouring out; he couldn’t speak. Everything felt heavy and real. That was it, tears everywhere. Everything felt raw and gutting. For more EastEnders spoilers and updates, follow Soap Opera Daily.