Homage EastEnders fans spot A-list nod to former show star with Ruby Allen and Martin Fowler’s son

EASTENDERS fans are convinced that a character on the soap was named after Martin Kemp’s son.

Martin is known for playing Steve Owen on the show from 1998 to 2002.

Martin Kemp played Steve Owen on EastEnders for four yearsCredit: BBC

Although he was only on EastEnders for a relatively short period of time, Martin made a strong impression on viewers, and went on to win an NTA and five British soap awards for the role.

After a photo of him emerged online with his son Roman Kemp, long-time EastEnders fans started to speculate that a new Walford character was named to pay homage to the Kemp legacy.

Roman Allen recently made his first appearance on the soap as the two-year-old son of Martin Fowler and Ruby Allen.

This coincidence of him being named Roman and also having a father called Martin is what led fans to wonder if the name was picked on purpose.

Someone took to X with the suggestion, writing: “Martin has a son named Roman? EastEnders.”

One person asked the BBC: “Is this a nod to the great Steve Owen?”

Another giggled: “Oh haha I didn’t spot that link!”

A third chimed in: “There’s no way this is merely a coincidence.”

Martin Fowler has decided to fight for full custody of his son Roman in EastEnders after discovering the boy was hospitalised due to parental neglect.

Roman drank a whole bottle of liquid paracetamol while in Ruby’s care and she didn’t notice.

The toddler already had liver issues due to auto-immune hepatitis, and the overdose just made his symptoms even worse.

Martin was furious to hear about the lack of care Roman had received from his mum who should have been watching him, and told Stacey he plans to ask for the legal rights to be his sole caregiver.

EastEnders fans think baby Roman Allen was named after Roman KempCredit: BBC