EastEnders actor James Bye has revealed that he made a mistake during the show's live episode before his character Martin Fowler's tragic death. Viewers were left shocked as the cast stood silently outside the Queen Victoria pub, the only sound being Stacy Slater's heart-breaking screams, as Martin met his devastating fate. He tragically suffered irreperable damage caused by a fallen beam as result of a fiery explosion in the fictional pub afrter helping free both stepdaughter Lily (Lillia Turner) and ex Stay from the rubble. In his final moments, Stacey declared she was still in love with Martin, despite him being in a relationship with Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton).
Bye said goodbye to the EastEnders cast and fans in an Instagram video, thanking friends, family, and the "hell of a team" who worked in production of the show. He shouted-out actress Lacey Turner, who plays Martin's ex-wife Stacey, not only for being a great co-star but also for saving him after his mistake during the live episode.
Bye said: "I obviously have to thank the one person that without her I wouldn't have been able to get through that [episode]. We laughed, we cried, all the way from the readthrough that we did a few weeks ago". On Lacey's brilliance, Bye called the actress an "absolute warrior," reminding fans "she has had her baby, let's not forget, weeks ago. I'm not talking months, I'm talking weeks, and she came back and delivered that performance on Thursday night". In true commitment to her role, Albert Square's Martin revealed his TV ex-wife "saved [his] skin on one occasion," saying: "I'm sure she'll tell you. So yeah, Lacey Turner, she knows how much I love her".
Bye also gave a "huge thank you" to all the support he received whilst playing his role. The actor said the reaction had "blown [him] away" and that the episode's reception "honestly meant a lot to a lot of people. It was an incredibly special night. I've never done anything like it and I probably won't ever do anything like it ever again".
Ever curious, EastEnders' fans are yet to figure out what the slip-up however, Bye called his experience on set playing Martin Fowler as 'life-changing' and confirmed how "very very difficult" it was "to say goodbye". At the same time, Bye shared how ready he is for "the next chapter" of his career. With the next episodes of the soap set to feature Martin's funeral, BBC production have confirmed one more character coming back to Walford, following the already-announced Vicki Fowler's return.
Bex Fowler, Martin's daughter, is also set to return for the funeral. Actress Jasmine Armfield, who left in 2020, will return for a short appearance as her character flies home to accompany mother Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) and meet her new sibling - born during the same explosion that took Martin from the square.
EastEnders heads have said Bex will be distraught over the loss of her father and will be attempting to process life without him whilst also dealing with Sonia’s incarceration for murder and the birth of her sister, Julia. Don't miss out on the biggest soaps gossip! Get a daily email direct to your inbox with our newsletter.
