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EastEnders fans ‘work out’ fan favourite will be killed off during 40th anniversary special after spotting several clues
A Walford killer may be set to strike again
EASTENDERS fans are convinced that fan-favourite character Martin Fowler will be killed off during the show’s upcoming 40th anniversary celebrations as a series of clues point to his demise.
The soap is gearing up for its epic anniversary celebration in February by bringing back a number of former Walford residents, including Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) and David Wicks (Michael French), but viewers are convinced there’s plenty more drama ahead.
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EastEnders viewers have worked out that Martin (James Bye) during the soap’s anniversary special which will hit screens early next year.
A series of clues, including the fact that Martin is set to turn 40 in the same years as the BBC soap, has viewers convinced he’ll be bumped off to mark the milestone.
Viewers believe the soap dropped a huge hint about this upcoming death earlier this summer when Martin was forced to reveal his real age when he found himself at the centre of an unexpected birthday celebration.
The residents of Albert Square, led by Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton), decorated Martin’s market stall with festive signs and balloons to celebrate his 40th birthday, only for the fruit and veg trader to reveal that he’s actually only 39.
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“It’s not my 40th!” Martin exclaimed, adding that he was still grateful for everyone’s effort to help him celebrate.
Undeterred, Honey insisted that the celebration must go on.
But this blunder left viewers wondering about Martin’s fate with many taking to X, formerly Twitter, to discuss their theories.
“Wondering if they’ve made such a thing of people thinking it’s Martin’s 40th so that they could put the banners and balloons up to tell us that the lead up to the show’s 40th starts now?” one viewer asked.
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While another theorised: “Or are they celebrating Martin’s 40th early because he doesn’t make it to 40 years old cos he gets killed off on the anniversary?”
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“Oh god I hope not,” a worried fan replied.
But a fourth BBC viewer said they’re starting to believe the rumours. “All I see lately is Martin dying in the 40th anniversary and I’m starting to believe in it,” they wrote.
“Not my Martin,” feared another.
Speculating how it might happen, one viewer suggested that killer Reiss (Jonny Freeman) could strike again.
Soap characters who've been recast
Soap operas are staple viewing for many people, but even some of the most famous characters have been played by different actors. Here are some examples from over the years.
- Tracy Barlow: Kate Ford took on the role of Corrie legend Tracy Barlow in 2002. Before Kate, three other actresses had played Tracy - most notably Dawn Acton from 1988 to 1999.
- Nick Tilsley: Ben Price has been playing Gail's oldest child in 2009, but the former Footballers' Wives star is the third actor to take on the part.
- Sarah Platt: Although Tina O'Brien debuted as Sarah Platt in 1999, she is the third actress who has played the iconic role of Sarah Platt.
- David Platt: Completing the line-up of Gail's children, David was initially played by Thomas Ormson for a decade before Jack P. Shepherd took over.
- Daniel Osbourne: For almost a decade, the role of Ken Barlow's son Daniel has been portrayed by actor Rob Mallard. Before Rob joined, two other actors had previously played Daniel.
- Bethany Platt: Fans know Lucy Fallon as Bethany nowadays but before her, three other actresses had stepped into the character's shoes.
- Kirk Sutherland: Before Andy Whyment took on the role of Kirk, he played by an uncredited actor in his very first appearance.
- Todd Grimshaw: Gareth Pierce stepped into the role of Todd back in 2020, becoming the second performer to play this part.
- Summer Spellman: Harriet Bibby became the second actress to play Summer, taking over the role from Matilda Freeman in 2020.
- Ryan Connor: Ryan Prescott currently plays the long-running character, but Ben Thompson and Sol Heras had earlier portrayed the role.
- Martin Fowler: Although Martin was the first baby born on-screen in EastEnders, he hasn't always been played by the same person. His current portrayer, James Bye, is the third actor to star as the character.
- Peter Beale: Seven actors have portrayed Ian Beale's elder son, with the current actor, Thomas Law, in his second stint as the character.
- Ben Mitchell: Ben has been played by a total of six actors - with Max Bowden bowing out of the role in March 2024.
- Bobby Beale: Before Clay Milner Russell, Ian's younger son had been played by four other actors.
- Freddie Slater: Bobby's best mate, Freddie Slater, had been previously played by twins Alex and Tom Kilby before Bobby Brazier took over in 2022.
- Chelsea Fox: Former Coronation Street actress Zaraah Abrahams took over the role of Chelsea in 2020. The character had been first played by Tiana Benjamin from 2006 to 2010.
- Lauren Branning: Jacqueline Jossa took on the role of Lauren in 2010, succeeding Madeline Duggan who'd played her from 2006 to 2010.
- Johnny Carter: Johnny has been played by three actors since debuting in 2013 - most recently, Charlie Suff has taken on the role.
They theorised: “Sonia and Martin grow close again as Reiss is investigated for Debbie’s murder, and Martin provides support for stressed and pregnant Sonia.
“Reiss is overcome with jealousy and offs Martin on the eve of the 40th-anniversary episode.”
Worried fans quickly responded saying they hope this doesn’t turn out to be the case.
One fan said they’d be heartbroken to see fan-favourite Martin killed off.”
“I’d rather they kill Reiss off, to be honest. He’s just such a boring character it’s ruining the show,” another added.
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James, who is 40 in real life, has been a mainstay on EastEnders for a decade, taking over the role of the iconic character from James Alexandrou in 2014.
But Martin has a long-history in Walford, first arriving on the Square in 1985. Is it time for his legacy to end?
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