In a heart-wrenching and explosive climax worthy of a franchise finale, EastEnders said goodbye to one of its most beloved characters — Martin Fowler — in a way that was both tragically poetic and deeply unsettling. But for James Bye, the actor behind the iconic fruit and veg man, stepping away from the Square after a decade came with its own emotional fallout — and a few very personal boundaries.

The 40th anniversary special of EastEnders pulled no punches. Fans were glued to their screens as a dramatic explosion ripped through the Queen Vic, leaving devastation in its wake. Amid the chaos, Martin — caught in the wrong place at the wrong time — was crushed beneath a collapsing beam. Viewers watched in stunned silence as Martin, in his final moments, clung to life long enough to profess his enduring love for his ex-wife, Stacey Slater. In a raw, impromptu ceremony, the pair exchanged vows, turning tragedy into an intimate and heartbreaking love story as Martin took his final breath.

It was a sendoff drenched in emotion, amplified by the sheer weight of Martin’s legacy on the show. For ten years, James Bye had embodied the role — the third actor to do so — and brought a steady, grounded presence to the ever-volatile world of EastEnders. Yet, offscreen, Bye confessed to struggling with the aftermath of his character’s death in ways most viewers wouldn’t imagine.

In a candid interview following his exit, Bye admitted he hadn’t — and couldn’t — bring himself to watch Martin’s funeral episode. “If I’m honest, I’d find it a bit weird,” he confessed. For him, watching a fictional version of his death, complete with eulogies and memorial photos, crossed a line that blurred reality and storytelling a little too closely. That discomfort reached its peak when the show’s art department requested real photos of him with his actual family to use in Martin’s on-screen funeral order of service. Bye declined, drawing a firm line between James the actor and Martin the character — a boundary that became even more essential in moments of such profound narrative finality.

Despite the emotional weight of leaving, James Bye maintained a tone of gratitude and pride. Reflecting on his decade as Martin, he called the 40th anniversary storyline “an honour” and thanked the fans and the production team for trusting him with the role. But there was also a sense of liberation — a man closing one chapter and cautiously opening another. “This fruit and veg man will always hold a special place in my heart,” he said, before adding, “It’s time to look forward.”

And yet, even in death, Martin’s story may not be entirely finished.

In a cryptic Instagram post not long after his dramatic exit aired, Bye reunited with co-star Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater), sharing a warm message: “Always great to spend some time with my old mucker. So much love for you, Lacey.” Fans immediately began speculating — could this mean a return? A flashback? Or even a twist that Martin somehow survived the explosion?

Though nothing has been confirmed, the post added an intriguing layer of ambiguity to what had been perceived as a definitive farewell. After all, this is EastEnders — a world where characters have returned from the dead, secret twins emerge from the shadows, and nothing is ever truly final.

James Bye’s journey to EastEnders fame began in 2006 with a small role in The Bill, but it was Martin Fowler that became his defining role. He joined the soap in 2014, stepping into the shoes of a character with deep roots in the show’s history. Over the years, his portrayal added warmth, humour, and a grounded sensibility to a show often defined by its high drama.

Outside Albert Square, Bye showed fans a different side of himself. He competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, where he was the fifth celebrity eliminated, but left a lasting impression for his sincerity and charm. While it’s clear his time in Walford has come to an end — for now — the actor’s growing résumé suggests that his best performances may still be ahead of him.

As for Martin Fowler, his last scenes will live on in EastEnders history. His death wasn’t just a plot device — it was a moment of emotional reckoning. A character who spent years trying to do the right thing, torn between loyalty and heartbreak, Martin died as he lived: quietly brave, unwavering in love, and deeply human. His final vow to Stacey, spoken through tears and pain, was more than romantic closure. It was a statement of enduring love, the kind that anchors long-running soap legacies.

But with one cryptic post and a show that thrives on reinvention, the question lingers in the minds of fans: was this truly the end of Martin Fowler — or just the beginning of a new mystery?

Only time — and perhaps a dramatic Christmas episode — will tell.