EASTENDERS star James Bye has admitted his wife wasn’t thrilled by the bombshell that his character was being killed off.
James, 41, revealed Victoria’s reaction to the news while discussing his shock exit from the BBC One soap.
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The actor, who had played Martin Fowler for 11 years, has also told how he made one demand to EastEnders bosses when they revealed he was being written out.
James’ character was killed last week in a special live episode, which was aired to mark EastEnders’ 40th anniversary.
Martin died after a huge steel beam landed on him following an explosion at the Queen Vic pub.
Heartbroken fans were left devastated by his shock death, which came after he confessed to Stacey – played by Lacey Turner – he was in love with her.
In an interview on The One Show, James revealed he made one request to EastEnders bosses after being told what was going to happen.
He also admitted his wife Victoria didn’t take the news well.
James told BBC hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp: “I was sworn to keep it completely secret.
“Obviously the people who were involved in the storyline, they were told not long after I was.
“In fact I told the exec producer, ‘You have to let me tell Lacey. Everyone else you can tell’. And that was the most difficult conversation.
“Other than telling my wife. She wasn’t over the moon with it to be fair!”
Martin Fowler star James Bye says emotional goodbye to EastEnders castmates after live episode
James described Lacey as his “best friend” and admitted they held hands the entire way through the live episode last Thursday.
“I can definitely say I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her. 100 per cent. Teamwork,” he said.
James added: “It has been a really emotional couple of months. Joy and tears and stuff because [me and Lacey] have worked together a lot.
“But to do it on an episode like that is such a special night and I will never forget it
“I’ll probably never get the chance to do something like that ever again so I will never forget that.”
James said his mind had been “blown” by the reaction from fans.
Meanwhile, earlier today James revealed his next job following his exit from EastEnders.
