EastEnders fans were full of praise a ‘beautiful tribute for Martin Fowler’ ahead of the character’s funeral.
Played by James Bye since 2014, Martin tragically died last month after a steel beam fell on him following the Queen Vic explosion in the BBC soap’s 40th anniversary week.
Following Martin’s death, a host of characters have been struggling with his passing, including his former wife Stacey Slater, who he confessed his love to in his dying moments.
Martin was initially played by Jon Peyton-Price when the character’s parents Pauline and Arthur Fowler welcomed him into the world during EastEnders debut year of 1985
Child-actor Jon, remained on the programme until 1996, when James Alexandrou joined for Martin’s journey into adulthood over the next 11 years.
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In scenes aired on Tuesday night (March 11), Kathy Beale hosted an event in Beale Street Café for the men of Albert Square to open up about Martin’s death.
Organising a shrine in honour of Martin, Kathy showed off a trophy Billy Mitchell bought him when ‘West Ham won the cup in Europe’. She then revealed that if Spurs ‘won anything, her godson Martin would do ‘an open top parade down the Square’.
Both EastEnders fans and characters are continuing to mourn Martin’s death(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
“I didn’t really get it, but what I did get that he loved you enough to keep it. Even if it was to get back at all of you. He said “me and you will drink champagne out of it”,” Kathy said.
She added: “I’ve closed up for a few hours for you guys. There’s people around here who cry more tears, but you all still matter. I know what blokes are like and I know how much you are all hurting. It’s okay to let it out, any way you can.”
Tearing up by Kathy’s gesture, Billy thanked Kathy and gave her hug as he said his friends would ‘get stuck’ into the cans of beer provided ‘for Martin’.
Reflecting on how they’ll continue to do their weekly bet syndicate without Martin, Billy said: “He was unbelievable in everything. The pound a week on our syndicate, he used to say “that will set me up for life”. I think we keep this up for Martin.”
Those watching the episode at home took to Twitter, now known as X, to praise the programme for continuing to honour Martin in a candid way.
@itsamy_xo said: “Kathy in todays episode was everything. the way she was with Harvey was really sweet. Harvey is grieving too and what she did to get the boys together to remember martin was adorable #EastEnders.” @MrsArthurFowler added: “Ain’t it nice that Kathy Hills has made a shrine to my Martin. #EastEnders.”
@RyanTheSoapking commented: “A fantastic episode of #EastEnders tonight. Real light and shade moments with Nicola Vs Sharon reaching breaking point whilst the men of Walford pay tribute to Martin Fowler. A beautiful script in today’s episode by @JonnyOneill.” @Scythe_Awoo posted: “Kath looking after Martin’s friends with Angels in the background oh my.#EastEnders.”
