Nearly a year after EastEnders delivered one of its most shocking tragedies—the death of Martin Fowler—fans are finally getting the truth straight from the man who played him. James Bye has broken his silence, revealing the emotional and surprisingly clear-cut reason he walked away from one of Walford’s most iconic roles.

Martin’s final moments remain etched into EastEnders history. His selfless death in the Queen Vic explosion became the defining moment of the show’s 40th anniversary, a storyline that shook Walford and the audience alike. And even now, Martin’s legacy continues to ripple through the Square. Characters still speak his name with grief, warmth, and reverence—proof that his spirit is far from gone.

In a new interview for EastEnders Insider, conducted by Bedwe, James finally opens up about the bittersweet decision behind Martin’s exit. And according to him, the choice—while devastating—was ultimately a “no-brainer.”

James describes filming Martin’s final scenes as one of the hardest experiences of his career. The storyline hit him on a deeply personal level. “It broke my heart,” he admitted. But at the same time, he felt an enormous privilege in giving Martin the heroic farewell he deserved. Sharing those climactic scenes with Lacey Turner, his longtime co-star and friend, made the moment even more meaningful.

Martin’s death wasn’t just written for shock value—it was crafted as a culmination of decades of history, a deeply rooted act of love and loyalty. James clearly understood how rare it is for a soap character to be given such a powerful, dignified ending. Many fade out quietly; Martin went out saving others. James knew that was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of exit.

But behind the emotional weight of the storyline came a surprising clarity. When the scripts for Martin’s final episodes arrived, James felt the timing was unmistakably right. He had a major stage project on the horizon—PD James’ Death Comes to Pemberley—and stepping into theatre had always been a dream. Faced with a challenging new opportunity and a strong final chapter for Martin, he realized the choice wasn’t complicated at all.

“I’ve always wanted to be an actor who gets to try different things,” he explained. “It just felt obvious. The script was brilliant. The story was brilliant. And I got to act opposite the best.”

For James, comfort has never been the goal. From Strictly Come Dancing to dramatic theatre, he thrives on pushing himself outside the familiar. Leaving EastEnders wasn’t a goodbye to acting—it was a shift into the broader career he’s always envisioned.

He also briefly acknowledged the behind-the-scenes evolution on the soap, including changes under new executive producer Ben Wade. But he made one thing clear: he holds nothing but love for the cast and crew—especially for Lacey Turner, who shared over a decade of screen history with him.

Martin Fowler’s death may still sting for fans, but in a way, it sealed the character’s legacy forever. He didn’t simply drift out of Walford; he exited in an act of heroism that will be remembered for years. And for James Bye, the loss of Martin wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of the next chapter in a career built on courage, ambition, and reinvention.