EastEnders fans were left devastated as fan favourite Martin Fowler was killed off in tragic scenes during the 40th anniversary live episode.
Viewers were forced to bid farewell to James Bye’s character as he became the second person to die after the Queen Vic’s shock explosion.
Viewers were left on a cliffhanger on Wednesday when a character was trapped under a steel beam in the ruins and died from crush syndrome during Thursday’s live episode.
Initially, it seemed like the character, Martin, had been rescued from under the beam. However, his heart stopped as firefighters tried to save him.
His ex-wife, Stacey Slater (played by Lacey Turner), was devastated as Martin passed away in front of her eyes shortly after expressing his love for her and proposing.
The heartbreaking episode ended with Stacey hugging Martin’s lifeless body while her screams could be heard by those waiting outside the Queen Vic for news.
Viewers were quick to take to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their devastation and shock over Martin’s death as they admitted they were in mourning.
The comments included: ‘EastEnders got me crying like this’; ‘It was LIVE. They could’ve stopped it happening’;
‘That’s so wicked that they killed off Martin’; ‘I’m not f**king okay after that’; ‘Actually sobbing at EastEnders’; ‘I’m taking time off work for grief. That scream will haunt me’;
‘That was unbearable to watch’; ‘I will never forgive #EastEnders BRING BACK MARTIN AND BRING HIM BACK NOW.’
The emotional scenes saw on/off couple Martin and Stacey share a tearful final conversation while he firefighters tried to rescue him from beneath the beam.
After months of avoiding their feelings, Martin declared his love for Stacey and proposed, promising her any future in or out of Walford as they decided to give their relationship another chance.
‘I truly, madly, head over heels, love you,’ Martin declared. ‘I don’t ever want to be apart from you again, alright?’
‘Will you marry me?’ he then asked Stacey, who said there was no need to have another ‘party’ to celebrate their union.
Persuading her, he said: ‘It’s you and me showing the world how much we love each other,’ and told her he wanted to make a wedding speech about her.
‘So is that a yes?’ Martin asked her, prompting Stacey to giggle and reply: ‘Yes!’
However, their happiness was short-lived and Stacey began to worry that something was wrong and upon speaking to a paramedic, made a heartbreaking discovery.
The medic told her that once the beam was lifted, Martin’s body would be flooded with toxins and he was at risk of crush syndrome because of his injuries.
After being told to say her goodbyes to Martin, Stacey couldn’t bring herself to tell him about his tragic fate, but he soon realised upon seeing her devastation.
They had a heartbreaking farewell as, through tears, Martin told Stacey the words he would have told her on their wedding day after his proposal.
Sharing what his speech would have been, he began: ‘No pressure but I have loved this woman since the very first moment I saw her.
‘I thought she was the sexiest thing I’ve ever clapped my eyes on. It’s always been Stace because she feels like home and adventure wrapped into one.’
In a nod to EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, he added: ‘I know that this time and we are going to be in here in the Vic celebrating our anniversary in 40 years time.’
The couple then shared a kiss before firefighters began to lift the beam and though it at first appeared Martin had been rescued, he then tragically died.
The episode came to a heartwrenching end with Stacey’s screams being heard by the Walford residents waiting outside the Queen Vic for news about those stuck inside.
As Stacey hugged Martin’s lifeless body, his ex-wife Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) – who has been involved in a love triangle with the duo – fell to her knees as she heard the screams.
It was a devastating twist as Martin’s death came just moments after the good news that Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) had given birth to her daughter in the ruins of the Queen Vic.
Martin first arrived in Walford on July 30, 1985, and was first played by Jon Peyton-Price and then James Alexandrou, before James Bye took on the role in 2014.
During his 10 years on the soap opera, James has been at the centre of some of EastEnders’ biggest storylines and shared some poignant words upon his exit.
He 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.
‘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.’
Meanwhile, 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.
‘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.’
Elsewhere during the episode, Sonia gave birth to her daughter and the results of the public vote – where viewers could pick the baby’s name – was revealed.
As part of the 40th anniversary, viewers were given the chance to both vote for Sonia’s daughter’s name, and who Denise Fox (Diane Parish) would end up with.
Sonia had two names for her daughter in mind, Julia and Toni, and it was revealed during the live episode that the baby girl would be called Julia.
The names were put forward for the vote to honour the two creators of EastEnders, Julia Smith and Tony Holland.
Sonia spent most of the episode in labour and devastating scenes saw baby Julia not breathing when she was born, while Sonia was also incredibly weak.
When the baby – fathered by killer Reiss Calwell, who died in Wednesday’s episode – arrived, Bianca (Patsy Palmer) gasped in horror and said: ‘She’s not breathing!’
As the newborn girl began to turn blue, Sonia appeared to go into a state of shock as her lip quivered and she lay back on the ground.
Bianca begged her for help in saving her daughter’s life and she eventually came to her senses and got the little girl to start crying.
The mother and daughter were safely in an ambulance by the end of the episode and the Walford residents rejoiced, just moments before their world came crashing down with Martin’s death.
As the credits rolled following the death of Martin Fowler, an alternate version of the credits, Julia’s theme, played in honour of the EastEnders creator.
Actress Natalie, who plays Sonia, recently announced she would be leaving the soap opera after three decades, with her final scenes yet to air.
In a statement given to The Sun, Natalie said: ‘I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited.
‘After another 11 solid years back on The Square, I have decided it’s time to move on to pastures new. EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career and I will continue to love the show.
‘Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.’
Natalie first joined EastEnders in 1993 when she was just 10 years old and remained with the show until 2007, before returning briefly in 2010 and again last year.
Also during Thursday’s live episode, viewers also discovered the shocking results of the other public vote.
They were given the chance to choose whether Denise would end up with Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) or her ex-husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen).
And Denise’s fate was finally revealed after the long-running love triangle she was seen turning up to Jack’s front door to rekindle their romance while Ravi watched on, looking shocked.
Denise told her ex-husband, who she was married to from 2021 until 2024: ‘I feel safe with you, Jack. I want to feel safe.’
‘Ravi and me… it’d never go anywhere,’ she went on. ‘We’re from two different worlds. I see a future with you Jack. Our history, that runs deep. My feelings haven’t changed, I still love you.’
The two then sealed their reunion with a passionate kiss, however viewers were left divided over the decision, with many wishing she had choose Ravi.
Comments included: ‘I’m always disappointed in the UK when it comes to collectively making the right decision bc wdym Denise chose Jack??? BORING’;
‘Not happy about Denise choosing Jack but that ending had me sobbing’; ‘I can’t see Denise and Jack lasting very long’;
‘Can’t believe Denise chose Jack, we’ll have such boring storylines for them now which is a shame.’
