EastEnders star James Bye has spoken out about the demise of Martin Fowler in tonight's live episode, with him having shared a parting message in an emotional statement

EastEnders viewers are heartbroken as Martin Fowler died in the live 40th anniversary episode, with actor James Bye now breaking his silence on his exit from the soap

Martin Fowler, played by James Bye, was killed off in the live episode of EastEnders after spending 40 years on the BBC soap and the actor has explained the reason behind the brutal exit.

James Bye has been a familiar face on our screens for years, starring in EastEnders as Martin Fowler, but away from the BBC soap, he leads a very different life with his wife and four children

James Bye took over the role of Martin Fowler when the character returned to Walford after a seven-year absence in 2014. The character was the first baby to be born on the show to parents Pauline and Arthur Fowler (Wendy Richard and Bill Treacher).

James Bye is best known for playing Martin Fowler on EastEnders but the character has been killed off after suffering from Crush syndrome in the Queen Vic explosion

Martin Fowler met a tragic end in Thursday night's live episode of EastEnders, but the original actor who played him, James Alexandrou didn't hold back as he weighed in on the character's demise

Following the death of Martin Folwer in EastEnders 40th anniversary live show on Thursday (February 20), many fans of the BBC soap are questioning how he overcame a similar incident. Martin, played by James Bye for the past 11 years,

As EastEnders fans sob in front of their TVs, Martin Fowler’s death has impacted a nation. And now actor James Bye has revealed to fans why he has left EastEnders and why Martin had to die as he confirms he quit the show as it ‘felt right’.