EASTENDERS viewers better get the tissues ready before they watch Martin Fowler’s funeral, as it’s set to be an emotional rollercoaster. The beloved fruit-and-veg stall holder died on

Martin Fowler - played by James Bye - was killed off during the live episode of EastEnders for its 40th anniversary last week after trying to rescue Stacey Slater

EastEnders star James Bye's next move after his exit from the BBC soap following Martin Fowler's death in the Queen Vic explosion has been announced - and it's very different

EastEnders fans are in shock after one of the show's most iconic characters died in tonight's live episode. Martin Fowler - who was the first baby to be born in the show - died after proposing to Stacey Slater. Viewers watched in horror while paramedics fought to save Martin who had been crushed by a metal beam.

Martin Fowler tragically died in a live EastEnders episode after being crushed by a steel beam following an explosion at the Queen Vic

James Bye ’s new role has been confirmed, days on from his EastEnders exit. The actor’s final scenes as Martin Fowler aired last Thursday, when the character died following the Queen Vic explosion.

James Bye's next move after leaving BBC show EastEnders behind has now been announced and he's going from soap to stage following Martin Fowler's dramatic death

Now played by Alice Haig, Vicki Fowler, who was last seen on-screen in 2004, is set to make an appearance to attend the funeral of her uncle Martin together with her boyfriend Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and their son Joel (Max Murray). "I am so excited," Haig said of her EastEnders debut.

BBC One soap EastEnders viewers are convinced that a new romance is on the horizon for Ruby Allen and Zack Hudson in the wake of Martin Fowler's tragic death

James Alexandrou, who played Martin Fowler before James Bye in EastEnders, has reacted to the character’s traumatic death. James portrayed the beloved character in the BBC One soap from 1996-2007. In 2014,