Devastating death rocks EastEnders live 40th anniverary episode as Sonia Fowler gives birth
EASTENDERS has killed off Martin Fowler in a dramatic live episode that left fans reeling.
The BBC soap celebrated its 40th anniversary with the live broadcast that saw Martin – who is played by actor James Bye – lose his life in the destruction in the Queen Vic.
He had been crushed under a steel beam while saving on/off lover Stacy Slater from the wreckage.
After being given morphine by paramedics while the fire fighters tried to lift the beam, Martin and Stacey had a final conversation.
He proposed to her, declaring that he loved her – all of her.
As they spoke about their lives and futures – in or away from Walford, Stacey realised something was wrong.
Cornering the paramedic she demanded to know what was going on.
He told her that Martin was in a bad way and once the beam was lifted, his body would be flooded with toxins and that she should say what she wants to say.
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 alway been Stace because she feels like home and adventure wrapped into one.
“I know that this time and we are going to be in here in the Vic celebrating our anniversary in 40 years time.”
She begged him to hold on and they shared a kiss before the emergency services began to lift the beam.
Martin told Stacey: “It’s going to be alright.”
And tragically Martin died leaving Stacey screaming in devastation for all the Square to hear.
At thee other side of the Vic Sonia gave birth, but the baby wasn’t breathing and Sonia had to snap into action.
“Breathe for mummy, please don’t die,” Sonia cried as she used her nursing skills to get her daughter breathing.
And she called her Julia after fans voted to name her after the soap’s co-creator Julia Smith.
Meanwhile the results of the public vote was revealed with Denise Fox picking ex-husband Jack Branning over lover Ravi Gulati.