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 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.

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

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,

EastEnders star James Bye, who is best known for playing Walford's fruit and veg man, Martin Fowler, has revealed what is next after his shocking exit in the soap's 40th anniversary live episode last week.

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.

EastEnders' James Bye opened up on The One Show about his final request to the BBC before his character Martin Fowler was killed off in the live anniversary episode

EastEnders has seen some of the most dramatic departures in soap history. Here are three of the most shocking goodbyes from Albert Square.