![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SEI_245012878-4edc.jpg\")
\n\t\tA moving tribute? (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tA moving tribute? (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
Martin Fowler<\/a>\u00a0(James Bye<\/a>) was a stalwart of EastEnders<\/a>, and his death<\/a> rocked the lives of nearly every Albert Square resident.<\/p>\n Stacey Slater<\/a>\u00a0(Lacey Turner<\/a>), Martin\u2019s true love with whom he\u2019d reconciled moments before his demise was utterly broken; the loss of Martin eventually seeing her own departure from the Square<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sonia Fowler<\/a> (Natalie Cassidy<\/a>) was forced to deliver the heart breaking news to Bex Fowler\u00a0(Jasmine Armfield)<\/a>, the daughter she shared with Martin, while dealing with her own grief over losing her childhood sweetheart.<\/p>\n Ruby Allen\u00a0(Louisa Lytton), a character intrinsically linked with both Martin and Stacey also left Walford amid her grief, while Sharon Watts\u00a0(Letitia Dean) took an extended leave of absence, heading to Australia to support her grieving friend Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell)<\/a>.<\/p>\n The loss of Martin was seismic, with residents gathering in Harry\u2019s Barn to celebrate his life, mourning the death of a beloved EastEnders legend.<\/p>\n \t\t Speaking at the time of his alter-ego\u2019s death, James said: \u2018Saying goodbye is not easy, but after 10 years at EastEnders and on the night of the show\u2019s epic 40th anniversary \u2013 the time felt right. <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s an honour to leave on a story of this magnitude. A huge thank you to all the fans of the show \u2013 EastEnders wouldn\u2019t be what it is without you \u2013 and to the BBC and EastEnders team for trusting me with this role for so many years. <\/p>\n \u2018This fruit and veg man will always hold a special place in my heart. It\u2019s time to look forward, and I\u2019m incredibly excited for what the future holds. RIP Martin Fowler.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t With Martin gone, a remnant of him does linger in Walford: his old shed, which Ross Marshall<\/a>\u00a0(Alex Walkinshaw<\/a>) and Harvey Monroe<\/a>\u00a0(Ross Boatman<\/a>) have big plans for: they want to turn it into a man cave.<\/p>\n Both previously formed a foursome alongside Alfie Moon\u00a0(Shane Richie) and Ian Beale\u00a0(Adam Woodyatt) who vowed to provide a safe space to talk and now, Ross and Harvey plan to make that space tangible, but they need the key from Jean Slater\u00a0(Gillian Wright).<\/p>\n When Ross and Harvey tell Zack Hudson<\/a>\u00a0(James Farrar<\/a>) of their plan, he\u2019s initially reticent, believing that it\u2019s disrespectful to Martin\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n When he talks to Barney Mitchell\u00a0(Lewis Bridgeman), though, his son helps him to realise that Martin himself would\u2019ve been fully behind the idea.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.<\/p>\n Click the button below and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \nAdd us as a Preferred Source<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Zack approaches Jean and tells her of the groups plans for the shed and puts his all into persuading her that it\u2019s a good idea.<\/p>\n The only problem? Jean turns around to find Ross and Harvey trying to steal the key.<\/p>\n As the shed renovation begins, Ross begins to open up, leading to the groups next issue\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SEI_195709949-c663.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe loss of Martin was catastrophic (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Ross](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/545900-02c8.jpg\")
\n\t\tRoss and Harvey have big plans for the shed (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barns\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775413210_694_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
\n\t\tNow you can ensure you never miss a story from the Soaps team<\/p>\n![\"Barney](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/553790-5b1e.jpg\")
\n\t\tBarney changes Zack\u2019s mind (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as killer finally faces the jury<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Sparks fly as EastEnders\u2019 Mark clocks palpable atmosphere between Vicki and Zack<\/a><\/p>\n