Former EastEnders star James Bye has opened up about filming his final scenes as Martin Fowler, sharing that Lacey Turner was particularly emotional during rehearsals.

The actor dramatically exited the soap last month during the show’s 40th anniversary, with Martin tragically passing away after being caught up in the devastating explosion at The Queen Vic.

Bye, who played Martin for a total of 11 years, spoke with The Mirror about the details of his surprising exit, sharing that Turner – who plays Stacey Slater – was evidently emotional during the rehearsal process ahead of the live episode.

“I don’t think she’ll mind me saying, but Lacey was upset throughout all the rehearsals,” recalled the actor. “She couldn’t hide the fact she was sobbing. I told her she didn’t need to cry all the time. She said: ‘I can’t help it. I’ve got no control.'”

He continued: “Then, at the final rehearsal, I lost it. When Stacey walked away to talk to the paramedic, it was like an out-of-body experience. She came back and I had tears pouring down my face.

“When I spoke again, I didn’t think anyone would be able to understand what I was saying through my choking sobs. But the director was delighted, [saying]: ‘That’s how we’ll do it on the live episode.'”

Bye, who added that he is yet to watch his final episode, has previously spoken about his working relationship with Turner, sharing that he made a special request after the details of his departure were confirmed.

“I was sworn to keep it a secret,” he revealed last month. “Obviously the people involved in the storyline were told not long after I was. In fact, I told the executive producer that, well after he made the decision, that you have to let me tell Lacey.

“Anyone else you can tell. But that was the most difficult conversation; other than telling my wife – she wasn’t over the moon with it, to be fair. Telling Lacey was tough – it has been a really emotional couple of months. Joy and some tears, we have worked together a lot.”