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

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. The beloved face was trapped under a beam that he had realised was falling from the ceiling.

EastEnders fans have one major demand for Martin Fowler's upcoming funeral, with calls being made for a former character to return to the show. The BBC soap's 40th anniversary week marked the death of fruit and vegetable salesman Martin, who was crushed by a steel beam following the Queen Vic's explosion.

It hasn't taken long for James Bye to land his first acting gig after departing EastEnders – with the Martin Fowler star having been cast in the lead role of Mr Darcy in a new stage production of Death Comes to Pemberley.

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, Martin returned to Walford, but James Bye had taken over the role.

The first baby born on the BBC soap lost his life in the arms of his ex-wife Stacey Slater, who he confessed his love and proposed to in his dying moments, during a dramatic live episode last Thursday night (February 20).

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).

EastEnders has confirmed that Bex Fowler will be making a return to Albert Square following the death of her father Martin, with actress Jasmine Armfield reprising her role