BYE BYE
EastEnders star breaks silence after being killed off in devastating 40th anniversary live episode
The star was killed off in the soap after ten years playing the iconic character
EASTENDERS star James Bye has broken his silence after being killed off from the BBC soap.
The actor - who has played Martin Fowler for ten years in the BBC soap - has opened up about leaving the show after the character died in the heartbreaking live episode.
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Martin died in Stacey Slater’s arms in the closing seconds of the live episode put on to celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary.
He had been crushed under a falling steel beam after rescuing Stacey from the wreckage.
In heartbreaking scenes he proposed to Stacey and planned the next 40 years of their lives before the paramedics told Stacey that he would likely not survive.
She kept him talking and calm and didn’t tell him death was near.
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Her heartbroken screams rang out into Walford as Martin slipped away still in the Queen Vic.
Speaking on his dramatic exit, James said: "Saying goodbye is not easy, but after 10 years at EastEnders and on the night of the shows epic 40th anniversary – the time felt right.
“It's an honour to leave on a story of this magnitude.
“A huge thank you to all the fans of the show – EastEnders wouldn't be what it is without you – and to the BBC and EastEnders team for trusting me with this role for so many years.
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“This fruit and veg man will always hold a special place in my heart.
“It's time to look forward, and I'm incredibly excited for what the future holds. RIP Martin Fowler."
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Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw added: “It’s incredibly sad to say goodbye to James, who has been a much loved loyal company member for 10 years.
“James’ performance in tonight’s live episode was nothing short of outstanding and one that I know will touch so many of you watching at home due to his loveable portrayal of Martin Fowler, which has made him a firm favourite amongst the viewers.
“When discussing James’ exit, we knew that we needed to give Martin Fowler the big explosive storyline that his character deserved.
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THAT’S it folks, EastEnders’ 40th anniversary week is over - and the live episode went off without a hitch - apart from killing a beloved character off anyway.
The BBC does like to shock viewers and this week it achieved it - but it wasn’t in the live episode.
For months and months and months, old faces from Walford’s history have been popping up to celebrate the show and its past to mostly great success.
And with Grant Mitchell and Nigel Bates back in the cast - there was the feeling that this week would have a big return to eclipse all others.
Think Cindy Beale, or Dirty Den - that level of shock comeback.
It’s safe to say they absolutely delivered with Anita Dobson’s brief comeback as Angie Watts.
Pitched perfectly as Sharon lay trapped in the rubble, Angie appearing and giving her the voice to scream for help.
A total surprise, a total joy and a much-needed injection of emotion into an otherwise weirdly flat week.
Reiss getting crushed by a bathtub was a fitting end for EastEnders’ worst ever killer - and that’s including Gray Atkins.
The reveal of Kathy being Cindy’s attacker fell flat.
And then tonight in the live for Martin Fowler to be killed off was probably a very large mistake - especially how it was done.
Are we really expected to believe that Martin and Stacey would stand around for half an hour chatting rather than getting out of the actively collapsing building?
Two devoted parents with about 82 children between them waiting for them to emerge?
I can believe Angie Watts clawed her way back from the dead to save Sharon, I don’t believe Martin and Stacey would’ve stayed in that building.
And that’s the problem. It’s actually quite a big problem for a soap when story overtakes character like this.
You want a big emotional moment, a shocking moment that will have everyone talking - but to kill off the first character born on Albert Square - he deserved better.
It’s not a stretch to say that the idiotic decision to kill off Ronnie and Roxy cost EastEnders millions of fans - look at the ratings.
But at least you could believe their deaths. Of course Ronnie would try to save Roxy and of course they’d end up dead together.
Martin and Stacey’s demolition chit-chat isn’t believable. But my God Lacey Turner pulled out the performance of a lifetime to make us believe it.
In fact her and Bye deserve all the awards - shared with Anita Dobson and Steve McFadden for his work as Phil Mitchell this week.
We mustn’t forget that it’s only a few weeks since Lacey gave birth and she is still on maternity leave, having filmed the non-live episodes weeks ago.
To pull off that level of performance is nothing short of outstanding.
It made a terrible decision bearable - for now at least. EastEnders may regret killing off its most beloved everyman.
“To leave the show in such an emotional storyline, during a live episode is something incredibly courageous to do as an actor, and one that I’m sure will cement itself in EastEnders’ history.
“I would like to thank James for everything he’s given to EastEnders, and although we will all miss him here at Elstree, he will always remain a member of the EastEnders family and we wish him the best for the future.”
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