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 the soap last week, and The Sun’s first look photos show his friends and family in tears.
The cast of EastEnders have been seen filming Martin Fowler’s funeral scenes[/caption]
Martin’s former flame Ruby was seen breaking down in tears[/caption]
The character – played by Louisa Lytton – was seen looking devastated[/caption]
Martin’s wife Stacey was emotional as she got ready to say goodbye to him[/caption]
Martin died after reconciling with wife Stacey in devastating scenes[/caption]
Ruby was seen standing next to the coffin with ‘Daddy’ written across it[/caption]
Stacey was seen comforted by her mum as she said goodbye to Martin[/caption]
Fans had a massive shock when Martin, played by James Bye, died during the live 40th anniversary episode last week.
No one had expected the character – who has been part of the show since the 80s – to be killed off so suddenly.
However, viewers are in for more upset as Albert Square says goodbye to Martin for the last time.
In The Sun’s first look pictures from his funeral, the cast can been seen gathering around the church.
In one emotional picture Martin’s former flame Ruby Allen is seen breaking down in tears.
Dressed all in black, the character, played Louisa Lytton, can be seen holding her head in her hands as she comes to terms with Martin’s death.
Just before he died Martin had reconciled with wife Stacey, played by Lacey Turner, and she can be seen looking emotional in the churchyard.
Other pictures show the Walford residents standing by the carriage that carried his coffin.
They all look solemn as they get ready to pay their final respects to Martin.
MARTIN’S SHOCK DEATH
Martin died in Stacey’s arms in the closing seconds of the final live episode, having been crushed under a falling steel beam in the Queen Vic pub after an explosion.
In heartbreaking scenes he proposed and planned the next 40 years of their lives before the paramedics told Stacey that he would likely not survive his injuries.
Stacey couldn’t bring herself to tell Martin what was happening, but he realised.
He decided to tell her what he’d say at their wedding, telling her: “No pressure but I have loved this woman since the very first moment I saw her.
“I thought she was the sexiest thing I’ve ever clapped my eyes on. It’s always been Stace because she feels like home and adventure wrapped into one.
Martin’s childhood sweetheart Sonia looked emotional[/caption]
The Sun’s pictures show the cast filming Martin’s coffin being carried by a horse drawn coach[/caption]
Martin’s friends and family got ready to carry his coffin into the church[/caption]
“I know that this time and we are going to be in here in the Vic celebrating our anniversary in 40 years time.”
UPSET FANS
The scenes proved so traumatic for fans that they threatened to call Ofcom over what occurred.
In a sweet video after the episode aired, actor James bid farewell to his fellow cast members with a suitable East End knees-up.
The group, including Jessie Wallace, Natalie Cassidy and Lacey Turner – could be seen celebrating a job well done as the live 40th anniversary episode came to an end.
Martin died after he became trapped under a beam after an explosion at the Queen Vic[/caption]
Despite the emergency team’s best efforts, Martin couldn’t be saved[/caption]
James captioned the video: “More to come… so much more to say… but for now – to Martin & all the EastEnders family – we love you.”
In honour of the show’s anniversary, James wrote: “A decade ago, I was welcomed into the EastEnders family at Elstree—and that’s exactly what we are.
“No doubt, it’s a madhouse most days, but it’s also a place filled with people, both on and off screen, who pour their hearts into this show every single day.
“It’s truly special, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of it, surrounded by the amazing people who make EastEnders what it is.”
EastEnders stars who QUIT
MICHELLE Collins has seen her second EastEnders stint boost her bank balance. Yet what stars have quit this year?
The Sun exclusively reported how Michelle, 62, was down to £20,000 in her company accounts when she agreed to a shock back-from-the-dead return to Albert Square last year.
Her character, Cindy Beale, was presumed dead off-camera in 1998.
Yet what about the 2024 exits?
Earlier this summer, loyal soap fans appeared to note how Stevie Mitchell had “quit” the long-running series.
It came after Alan Ford enjoyed just six-months on-screen.
Bobby Beale actor Clay Milner Russell also left this year after five years in Walford.
Fans also feared Martin Fowler actor James Bye would “quit out of boredom” over recent storylines.
Additionally, a host of stars have quit the BBC soap for Hollywood fame.
One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.
He played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.
Ben Hardy, who quit EastEnders as Bobby Beale almost a decade ago, went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay’s Netflix movie 6 Underground.
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater until 2005.
She starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.
