Tensions rise in the lead-up to Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) funeral in EastEnders next week.

The beloved fruit and veg trader died in the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion last month and his loved one have been struggling to process his death in the weeks since.

Having secretly reunited with Martin in his final moments and planned to remarry, Martin’s ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) has since fled the Square.

This has been much to the annoyance of Martin’s partner Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton), who is still in the dark about what really happened between Martin and Stacey on the night he died.

Ruby has also been left to finalise plans for Martin’s send-off but has clashed with Stacey’s mum Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) over the arrangements.

Next week it is the day before Martin’s funeral and Stacey still has not returned home from staying with her brother Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky).

Forthcoming scenes see Ruby accosts Jean in the café about Stacey’s whereabouts, furious she has been left to handle things alone.

However, while actress Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, is currently on maternity leave from the BBC soap, it looks like she will make a brief return to say goodbye to her one true love next week.

Last month, Lacey was pictured on location with several of her castmates filming scenes for the funeral.

She also returned to the EastEnders set in February just a month after giving birth to her third child to be part of the 40th anniversary live episode, which saw Martin die in Stacey’s arms.

Ahead of the funeral, fans will see his Ruby, his other ex-wife Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), daughter Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) and aunt Kathy Beale (Gillian Wright) all head to the undertakers to say their final goodbyes in heartbreaking scenes.