EastEnders original Martin Fowler star shares soap return 17 years after exit
Original Martin Fowler star James Alexandrou has revealed he recently returned to EastEnders 17 years after his exit - albeit in a slightly different role.
The Call the Midwife star, 38, took on the role of Albert Square legend Martin Fowler from 1996 until 2007. The role has now been taken over by James Bye, who has portrayed the loveable character since 2014.
However, despite his soap exit 17 years ago and Martin being played by another actor, James has revealed he recently return to Walford - although as a shadow director. Speaking to Johnny Seifert on Secure The Insecure Podcast, the soap legend revealed: "I kind of did go back recently, I shadowed as a director."
Original Martin Fowler star James Alexandrou has revealed he recently returned to EastEnders 17 years after his exit - albeit in a slightly different role (BBC)Explaining what that involves, he continued: "What that means is you go and follow the director and see how they direct the show, and it just so happened that James Bye was on the day that I was shadowing, so I didn't know that he knew I was there.
"I think he apparently caught wind of it, and he came on to do a scene, and he kind of went: 'Oh, it's you!' and we just kind of had this... it was a strange moment, it was a really strange moment, because we don't know each other at all, and the only thing that bonds us are these words on a page called Martin Fowler and it was a really nice moment."
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James went on to discuss how "intense" soap directing is compared to film directing, joking that he would enjoy directing his former co-star, Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler. The actor said: "Something like Enders, you might shoot some 25 or 30 pages a day, on a film, you might be shooting two."
The role has now been taken over by James Bye, who has portrayed the loveable character since 2014 (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)He added: "[It's] kind of nostalgia thing going back. And I think I'd have a lot of fun doing it. You know, I just have to demand that I would have to direct Natalie Cassidy because that would be the most fun thing to do." However, James admitted the "door is closed" on returning as Martin.
The actor, who is starring in and has co-written a new play titled Casserole, said: "Coming back as Martin? I don't know, that door's closed in my head. Maybe if the door was open, if James Bye said: 'Listen, I'm gone and I don't want to do it again' then I'd go: 'Yeah'." Although it looks like it wouldn't be a permanent return as the actor added: "Maybe like a special one off Christmas thing. That might be funny to do that."
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .
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