BBC/ITV Share By Joel Harley Dec 3 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 3 2025 James Bye opens up on 'no-brainer' decision to leave EastEnders, almost one year after Martin's death James left the soap earlier this year EastEnders 40th James Bye Martin Fowler Strictly Come Dancing Share By Joel Harley Dec 3 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 3 2025 EastEnders star James Bye has spoken out on his decision to leave EastEnders, less than a year after Martin Fowler’s death on the soap. James was killed off during EastEnders 40th anniversary celebrations, when street icon Martin died during a Walford-shattering explosion at the Queen Vic. Martin still lives on in its characters’ hearts though, racking up multiple mentions and tributes in the months since his passing. In an interview for EastEnders Insider carried out by Betway, James opened up about his exit from the soap, while also weighing in on new Executive Producer Ben Wadey’s takeover, Strictly’s ongoing ‘advantage’ scandal and more. James played Martin from 2014 to 2025 (Picture: BBC) EastEnders star James Bye reflects on soap exit Of Martin’s tragic death, Martin said: “It was heartbreaking. I felt incredibly honoured to be the central role in that whole thing, with a huge sacrifice at the end, and to do it with [Lacey Turner], my best friend on the show. “It was something that not many people will ever get offered. It was a real sort of seesaw for me because I was like, you are going to die.” Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers However, with his theatre role in the P.D. James’s adaptation Death Comes to Pemberley inbound, James welcomed the opportunities his screen death entailed. “I’ve always wanted to be an actor who gets to do lots of different things,” he said. “It was sort of a no-brainer. As an actor, I sort of didn’t think past the script. I was just like, This is a brilliant script. It’s a great story. I get to work with the best actor. It was sort of quite an easy decision, in a way.” Martin was killed in the Queen Vic explosion (Credit: BBC) James Bye shares thoughts on Exec Producer Ben Wadey: ‘he’s doing a great job’ Soon after James left the soap, so did showrunner Chris Clenshaw. When questioned on what he thought about new Executive Producer Ben Wadey‘s tenure so far, James said: “Honestly, I think he’s doing a great job.” He continued: “I think bringing the Slaters back is great, and putting them central with the Brannings is fantastic.” James also highlighted Phil’s recent storylines on the soap, saying: “The whole stuff with Steve McFadden and his storyline. I think you can give him anything, you know. You could put him in the back of a shot juggling oranges and he’d be brilliant. He’s just one of those. He’s a magnet.” James competed in Strictly Come dancing in 2022 (Credit: BBC) James Bye weighs in on Strictly ‘advantage’ row James also reflected on his time in Strictly, sharing his thoughts on co-star Balvinder Sopal’s performance on the competition. “She’s doing great,” James said – describing Balvinder as ‘a lovely person.’ He continued: “I didn’t know she could move like that.” “She’s been saying to me for years that she wanted to do Strictly. When I did it, she was like, ‘Oh, I’d love to do it.’ It’s funny when people want to do it. Jillian Wright’s really keen to do it. And it’s funny, because you’d be like, “Oh, really?” Some people just have those dancing bones in them. He added: “When [Balvinder] got announced, I was just so happy for her.” He also took the time to weigh in on Strictly’s ongoing ‘advantage’ row, concerning those with prior dance experience. James said: “Backstage chat when I was on Strictly was everyone saying, ‘but he’s a professional dancer, or she’s a professional dancer’. And at the time you go, ‘that’s unfair’, but actually, I think the judges get it right. The format works so well because it is down to the judges to keep people coming back. If they just went, Louis gets 10s because he’s the best dancer of everyone. He then makes the show just unwatchable, doesn’t it?” Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Dec 3 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 3 2025 Previous Story Next Story
