EastEnders’ Original Martin Fowler Actor Takes a Dig as Bosses Reveal Secretive Measures to Conceal Character’s Death
Former EastEnders star James Alexandrou has shared his reaction after the shocking live episode marking the soap’s 40th anniversary,
which saw the unexpected death of Martin Fowler. The character, portrayed by James Bye since 2014,
met a tragic end during the Thursday night live broadcast, succumbing to injuries sustained in the devastating Queen Vic explosion.
The unexpected demise left fans stunned, but Alexandrou—who originally played Martin Fowler from 1996 to 2007—couldn’t resist making a witty remark about the situation.
The 39-year-old actor posted a picture of his television screen on Instagram while watching the episode, quipping:
“Somehow I reckon I’ll still be asked ‘when are you going back to EastEnders?’” His comment playfully acknowledged his long-standing association with the role, despite having departed from the soap nearly two decades ago.
Alexandrou made the choice to leave EastEnders in 2007, and when the role was recast with James Bye in 2014, he did not return. His version of Martin left Walford to travel with Sonia Fowler following the death of his mother, Pauline Fowler. Reflecting on his departure at the time, Alexandrou stated: “I’ve decided to leave the show to experience other aspects of my industry. Having turned 21, I felt it was a good time to leave. I owe everything to the show and would love to come back one day—if EastEnders would have me.”
Meanwhile, the show’s production team has now revealed the extreme lengths they went to in order to keep Martin’s death a well-guarded secret. Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter, took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes images, including pictures of James Bye and Lacey Turner (who plays Stacey Slater) wearing matching green T-shirts emblazoned with the word #Startin—a blend of Stacey and Martin.
Adding to the secrecy, the back of their shirts read “TODD & WINNIE 4 EVA”, referring to the codenames assigned to their characters in the live episode’s script. Bright humorously admitted: “The matching T-shirts were bought by James, and they are the codenames they were given in the script! Why?? I have no idea.” She also praised the duo for their emotionally charged performances, noting how difficult it was to say goodbye to a castmate after a decade, let alone in a live episode.
James Bye himself addressed his departure with an emotional statement: “Saying goodbye is not easy, but after 10 years at EastEnders—and on the night of the show’s epic 40th anniversary—the time felt right. It’s an honour to leave on a story of this magnitude. RIP Martin Fowler.”
The highly anticipated anniversary episode saw Walford engulfed in chaos as a deadly explosion rocked the Queen Vic. Martin found himself trapped beneath a heavy metal beam in the wreckage, leaving viewers on edge. Initially, it seemed like he had been successfully rescued, but the drama took a heartbreaking turn when he suffered from crush syndrome and his heart gave out.
The emotional climax of the episode saw Martin’s ex-wife, Stacey, witnessing his final moments. As he lay trapped, Martin confessed his love for her and proposed, promising a fresh start together. Stacey, visibly torn, accepted his proposal. However, tragedy struck when a paramedic informed her that lifting the beam would flood Martin’s body with toxins, leaving him with little chance of survival.
Unable to break the devastating news to him, Stacey tried to stay strong. However, Martin soon realized the gravity of the situation as he read her face. In a tearful farewell, he shared what would have been his wedding speech, recalling their enduring love and their dreams of celebrating future anniversaries together. The moment was sealed with a heartbreaking kiss before the beam was lifted—leading to his tragic demise.
The episode ended in gut-wrenching fashion as Stacey’s piercing screams echoed throughout the devastated Queen Vic. Outside, Walford residents, anxiously awaiting news of those trapped inside, were left shaken as they heard her grief-stricken cries. Among them was Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton), Martin’s other ex-wife, who collapsed in sorrow upon realizing the devastating truth.
This shocking storyline not only serves as a dramatic turning point for EastEnders, but it also highlights the soap’s ability to deliver emotional, high-stakes narratives. The farewell to Martin Fowler marks the end of an era, but for fans, his legacy in Walford will never be forgotten.
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