James Bye's next move after leaving BBC show EastEnders behind has now been announced and he's going from soap to stage following Martin Fowler's dramatic death

James Bye ’s new role has been confirmed, days on from his EastEnders exit. The actor’s final scenes as Martin Fowler aired last Thursday, when the character died following the Queen Vic explosion.

The first baby born on the BBC soap lost his life in the arms of his ex-wife Stacey Slater, who he confessed his love and proposed to in his dying moments, during a dramatic live episode last Thursday night (February 20).

It hasn't taken long for James Bye to land his first acting gig after departing EastEnders – with the Martin Fowler star having been cast in the lead role of Mr Darcy in a new stage production of Death Comes to Pemberley.

James Alexandrou, who played Martin Fowler before James Bye in EastEnders, has reacted to the character’s traumatic death. James portrayed the beloved character in the BBC One soap from 1996-2007. In 2014, Martin returned to Walford, but James Bye had taken over the role.

The soap's 40th anniversary week ended with Martin passing away after a steel beam fell on him in the Queen Vic

EastEnders star James Bye has spoken out about the demise of Martin Fowler in tonight's live episode, with him having shared a parting message in an emotional statement

EastEnders has confirmed that Bex Fowler will be making a return to Albert Square following the death of her father Martin, with actress Jasmine Armfield reprising her role

Hot on the heels of the news that Vicki Fowler will return to EastEnders for Martin’s (James Bye) funeral, it has been confirmed that his daughter Bex will also be in attendance to say an emotional goodbye.