EASTENDERS viewers have vowed to never watch the soap again after bosses made a “huge mistake” in wiping out a core family from the Square.
The BBC soap’s 40th anniversary live episode delivered a shocking twist as Martin Fowler (James Bye) met a tragic end in the Queen Vic disaster.
EastEnders viewers are furious that Martin Fowler was killed off in the live anniversary episode[/caption]
He died in the rubble after the Queen Vic collapsed[/caption]
Fans of the soap warned producers that they will be switching off after this development[/caption]
Fans are outraged, claiming that killing off Martin was unnecessary and a devastating blow to EastEnders’ legacy.
The dramatic scenes saw Martin crushed under a steel beam while heroically saving his on/off love Stacey Slater.
He was given morphine by paramedics as firefighters worked desperately to free him.
In his final moments, Martin proposed to Stacey, declaring his undying love before tragically succumbing to his injuries.
Viewers were left furious by the decision to axe Martin, and have taken to social media in droves to complain.
One person fumed: “How does one complain to Ofcom? Tom will be happy to know I am never watching EastEnders again.”
Another posted: “The whole of the UK right now on their way to complain to Ofcom for killing off our beloved Martin.”
“Guys, how do I complain to Ofcom?” another frustrated viewer asked, while a fourth raged: “They (Chris Clenshaw) kill off all the decent characters and leave all the rubbish behind. Big mistake.”
Many fans were particularly angered by the fact that Martin was the last remaining Fowler on the Square, marking the end of an era for the show’s first family.
“That was the biggest mistake in EastEnders history since killing off Ronnie and Roxy,” one devastated viewer wrote.
“Martin was the first baby born on EastEnders. He was the first legacy character. He has only been recast once, and his actor gave no indication that he wanted to leave. As a showrunner, you do your best to hold on to characters with as much importance as this.”
Another added: “Killing off Martin kills off a core history of the show. Aside from his kids, there are no more Fowlers left on the Square. Without Hope, Roman, and Michelle, the Fowlers are now all dead as a family.”
The backlash continued, with one fan lamenting: “Agree, and I’ve been saying this all night. Our last practical link with Arthur and Pauline. Why??”
Viewers also slammed the writing of Martin’s death, particularly the role Stacey played in it.
One fan wrote: “Stacey refusing repeatedly to leave with Martin until he confessed his love to her is what got him killed. It was totally unnecessary.”
Another viewer said: “Killing Martin Fowler off is weird. The Fowlers are the first family of Walford. Apart from Sonia, there’s now no one in Walford with the last name Fowler. How are they going to build that family’s legacy now?”
