James Edward Bye (born 23 February 1984) is an English actor who played Martin Fowler in EastEnders from 2014 to 2025. He also competed in series 20 of Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.
Early life
James Edward Bye was born on 23 February 1984 in Basingstoke, to parents Leonard and Pauline.[1] He has a younger sister, Amy.[1] Bye attended the Hurst Community College in Baughurst, before enrolling at Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke.[1]
Career
Bye's first acting role was in a 2006 episode of the television series The Bill as Tom Burrows.[1] He later had a part in the film Cemetery Junction in 2010, followed by appearances in the films Hummingbird (2013) and The Hooligan Factory (2014), as well as the miniseries The Great Train Robbery (2013). In October 2014, Bye was cast in the role of Martin Fowler in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.[2] His character was killed off during the live episode of the show's 40th anniversary on 20 February 2025, with Bye consequently departing the series.[3] In 2022, he competed in series 20 of the dancing show Strictly Come Dancing.[4]
Personal life
Bye and his wife Victoria married in 2012, four years after they began dating.[1] They have four sons.[5]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Cemetery Junction | Tough Guy in Club |
| 2013 | Hummingbird | Football Supporter 2 |
| 2014 | The Hooligan Factory | Pete The Killer |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Bill | Tom Burrows | Episode: "Special Relationships" |
| 2013 | The Great Train Robbery | John Daly | Episodes: "A Robber's Tale" and "A Copper's Tale" |
| 2014–2025 | EastEnders | Martin Fowler | Regular role; 1,048 episodes |
| 2016 | Children in Need 2016 | Performer | Segment: "Film Tribute" |
| 2020 | Pointless Celebrities | Himself / Contestant | Episode: "Soaps" |
| EastEnders: Secrets from the Square | Himself | Episode: "Martin and Kush" | |
| 2021 | The Wall Versus Celebrities | Himself / Contestant | Episode: "EastEnders Christmas Special" |
| 2022 | Strictly Come Dancing | Series 20 | |
| 2023 | The Hit List | Episode: "Strictly Come Dancing Special" | |
| Richard Osman's House of Games | Series 7 (Week 9) | ||
| 2024 | The Weakest Link | Episode: "Strictly Come Dancing Special" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | British Soap Awards | Best Actor | Longlisted | [6] |
| 2016 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actor | Longlisted | [7] |
| 2016 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Partnership (with Lacey Turner) | Shortlisted | [8] |
| 2017 | British Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership (with Lacey Turner) | Nominated | [9] |
| 2017 | Digital Spy Reader Awards | Best Soap Relationship (with Lacey Turner) | Third | [10] |
| 2020 | National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Longlisted | [11] |
| 2020 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actor | Longlisted | [12] |
| 2022 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Double Act (with James Farrar) | Longlisted | [13] |
References
- ^ a b c d e "10 Totally True Facts About... James Bye". Inside Soap. London: Hearst Communications. 20 March 2020. pp. 44–45. ISSN 0966-8497.
- ^ "EastEnders recasts Martin Fowler: James Bye to take over role". Digital Spy. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
- ^ "EastEnders character dies in live episode as part of the 40th anniversary week". BBC. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ "James Bye is the fourteenth celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2022". BBC. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ "EastEnders star remembers "emotional" first time he held his newborn son". Digital Spy. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (4 April 2016). "British Soap Awards 2016 nominations: Which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ^ Sandwell, Ian (21 June 2016). "Inside Soap Awards 2016 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ Sandwell, Ian (27 September 2016). "Inside Soap Awards 2016: Which Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up for prizes?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (3 June 2017). "British Soap Awards 2017 winners: Find out which of your favourite shows and stars won a trophy". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ Sandwell, Ian (29 December 2017). "Emmerdale almost achieves clean sweep at the Digital Spy Reader Awards 2017". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ Harp, Justin (15 October 2019). "Love Island, Emmerdale, Killing Eve, Drag Race UK and more land National Television Awards longlist nominations". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "Inside Soap Awards reveals full longlist for 2020's ceremony". Digital Spy. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ Harp, Justin (18 July 2022). "Inside Soap Awards announces nominations and new category for 2022 event". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
