The EastEnders 40th-anniversary live episode delivered high-stakes drama, raw emotion, and nail-biting performances.
Fans were captivated by the gripping events, including the tragic aftermath of The Queen Vic explosion, which left Martin Fowler fighting for his life.
However, as with any live broadcast, unexpected moments can arise, and actor James Bye has now revealed that one such instance nearly caught him off guard.
Fortunately, his long-time co-star and close friend Lacey Turner was there to step in and help him recover.
A Night to Remember
To mark its 40-year milestone, EastEnders treated viewers to a full 30-minute live episode, a rare and ambitious feat for a soap opera.
The special installment brought together multiple high-stakes storylines, including Denise Fox (Diane Parish) making her final choice between Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), as well as Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) welcoming her baby into the world.
For Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and Martin Fowler (James Bye), the night was particularly emotional. The pair found themselves trapped inside The Queen Vic after the explosion, with Martin pinned under a fallen beam. Despite the dire circumstances, the former couple had a heartfelt conversation, realizing they still loved each other and making the decision to reunite.
But just as their future together seemed secure, tragedy struck. When emergency services finally lifted the beam, Martin suffered from Crush Syndrome—where toxins suddenly flood the body, leading to organ failure. Sadly, his condition proved fatal, marking the end of Martin Fowler’s journey on the Square.
Lacey Turner ‘Saved’ James Bye’s Skin
With the entire episode being performed live, the cast had no room for mistakes. Every moment had to be perfectly timed and executed, making the pressure incredibly high. In the days following the episode, James Bye took to Instagram to reflect on his emotional exit and express his gratitude to those who supported him through the intense experience.
In his heartfelt message, James singled out his co-star Lacey Turner, revealing that she played a crucial role in helping him through the performance. “I have to thank the one person that, without her, I wouldn’t have been able to get through that,” he shared.
While he didn’t elaborate on the specific mistake he made, James admitted that there was a moment where Lacey stepped in and “saved his skin,” ensuring that the live performance continued without a hitch. He praised her professionalism and dedication, particularly given the fact that she had recently given birth. “She is an absolute warrior,” he said. “She had her baby weeks ago—not months, weeks! And she came back and delivered that performance on Thursday night. To be part of it was amazing.”
Saying Goodbye to Martin Fowler
Following his dramatic exit, James appeared on The One Show, where he sat down with hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp to discuss his departure from EastEnders. During the interview, he opened up about the moment he learned Martin would be written out of the show and the emotional conversation he had with Lacey Turner.
He explained that after speaking with producers, he insisted on breaking the news to Lacey himself. “That was the most difficult conversation,” he admitted, highlighting the deep bond the two have built over years of working together.
Reflecting on the past few months, James described the experience as a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with both joy and sorrow. “It has been a really emotional couple of months. Joy and tears and stuff because [me and Lacey] have worked together a lot. But to do it on an episode like that, on such a special night, I will never forget it.”
A Memorable Performance
The EastEnders live special was packed with unforgettable moments, but James Bye’s confession about his on-air slip-up adds another layer of intrigue for dedicated fans. Thanks to Lacey Turner’s quick thinking and teamwork, the performance went off seamlessly, proving once again why EastEnders remains one of the most iconic and beloved British soaps.
Though Martin Fowler’s time on the show has come to an end, James Bye’s heartfelt tribute to his co-stars—and his acknowledgment of the ‘mistake’ that almost went unnoticed—ensures that his final performance will be remembered for years to come.
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