EastEnders stars James Farrar and Diane Parish have shared emotional tributes to James Bye following Martin Fowler’s emotional exit.
Martin died at the end of last night’s live episode, which was part of the soap’s 40th anniversary week, following an explosion at The Vic.
In the collapsing building, Stacey and Martin confessed their true feelings for each other, before Martin was crushed by a falling beam.
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When paramedics attempted to free Martin from being crushed, he went into cardiac arrest, dying in front of Stacey.
Taking to Instagram Farrar, who stars as Zack Hudson on the soap, shared his feelings on his friend’s exit, writing: “What James did better than anyone else on our show was to demand a conversational, real energy whenever you’re in a scene with him.
“Fly on the wall. His trick was to immediately walk into the scene and stick the kettle on. He’d make us both a tea during the take and I believed everything with him.
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“What’s more, I always came off set with a smile on my face. His naughty, clever humour had me on the floor at times. Thank you for the nights out, thank you for the laughter and thank you for giving us one of the best moments in TV tonight.
“Losing you as a scene partner 💔… but won’t lose you as a pal. Love you mate.”
Meanwhile, Parish took to her own social media to share her thoughts on Bye’s exit, saying she hasn’t yet watched the live episode.
“So… didn’t want to say much on this last night. Didn’t want to say something disingenuous or badly thought through,” she penned on Instagram.
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“Still haven’t watched.. still not sure what to say…. Except that our LTGOW (Jimmy knows what Tameka and I mean by that) has broken every heart on The Square and in this Nation last night. Not just because he’s left us on Eastenders but by his absolutely POWERHOUSE performance.
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“I know that because that is what James (Jimmy) Bye delivers in spades every time. Alongside his PIC, Lacey Turner, what they gave last night was nothing short of incredible. What they both achieved last night was NOT easy. Admiration.
“Heartbroken. We will miss your jokes, talent and lofty presence. Love you but it’s not goodbye. 💔❤️🔥”
