EastEnders’ Lacey Turner has ‘not stopped crying’ since James Bye left Martin Fowler role
EastEnders star Lacey Turner has revealed she’s had the same reaction as pretty much the rest of the country since co-star James Bye’s emotional on-screen exit as Martin Fowler.
The beloved fruit and veg seller died in the arms of Lacey’s character Stacey Slater in in last Thursday’s live episode after being crushed by a falling beam following the Queen Vic explosion.
And just like us, Lacey admitted she ‘hasn’t stopped crying’ since saying goodbye to her scene partner of 11 years.
‘I’m still trying to get over it, Lacey said, appearing on the Off the Telly podcast her EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy hosts with Gavin & Stacey’s Joanna Page.
‘It’s so overwhelming. It was crazy and such a lovely thing to be a part of,’ she said of the live episode.
‘It was pretty epic, but bitter sweet for me. There isn’t an emotion for how I feel.
‘I’m heartbroken. It’s so weird because it feels like he’s actually died, I haven’t stopped crying.’
Lacey added of James: ‘I love the bones of that man. He’s so brilliant.
‘We didn’t stop hugging the moment he died.’
Lacey previously paid tribute to ‘best mate’ James and their decade working together on Instagram.
Posting pictures of their first moments together in 2015 and one from the 40th anniversary episodes last week, she wrote: ‘There are no words to describe how I feel! Thank you for holding my hand not only throughout the crazy, terrifying, amazing, heartbreaking experience of the live ep but for holding it for the last 10 years! On and off screen! My best mate, a proper partner in crime!
‘We laughed everyday from the very beginning until the very end and for that I will be forever grateful!
‘Here’s to you @jimmybye! You are one of a kind mate! ❤️ Thank you for Martin Fowler, what a bloke!’
James shared similar sentiments during an appearance on The One Show earlier this week, revealing he insisted he was allowed to tell Lacey after discussing his exit with his EastEnders bosses.
‘That was the most difficult conversation’, he said, reflecting on the chat.
James and his wife Victoria asked Lacey to be a godparent to their third son Hugo following his birth in 2019, along with former EastEnders co-star Davood Ghadami, who played Martin’s on-screen best friend Kush Kazemi.
‘As soon as Hugo was born, I knew straight away that I wanted to ask them and we are eternally grateful that they accepted,’ James told OK! Magazine in 2020.
