EastEnders’ original Martin Fowler looks worlds away from Albert Square as he makes rare public appearance at Frightfest

ORIGINAL Martin Fowler star James Alexandrou looked unrecognisable as he made a rare public appearance 19 years after leaving EastEnders. James, 41, played the iconic EastEnders character from 1996 to 2007 and was replaced by James Bye when Martin returned to Albert Square in 2014, before being killed off in 2025. James looked worlds away from Albert Square as he stepped out for Frightfest last night Credit: Bob Grey / BACKGRID He played Martin in EastEnders for more than a decade Credit: ©BBC Last night actor James stepped out for horror movie festival Frightfest in London and cut a casual figure as he posed for photographs. His current look of a shaved head and full beard is worlds away from the fresh-faced portrayal of Martin he served for more than a decade. Sign up for the Eastenders newsletter Thank you! Last year, viewers were heartbroken when Martin tragically died in the BBC soap’s 40th Anniversary live episode. At the time, James Alexandrou took to social media to acknowledge his former alter-ego’s passing. He joked on his Instagram story: “Somehow reckon I’ll still be asked ‘When are you going back to EastEnders?’ James accompanied his message with a snap of Martin’s death scene. Since leaving EastEnders, the actor has continued to star in high profile shows like Call The Midwife, Professor T and Silent Witness. And recently fans went wild when he popped up in Prime’s Citadel, which stars Stanley Tucci. Most read in TV He appeared in season two, playing a lead officer brought in during an explosive scene. At the time, one fan wrote on social media: “Loving the nostalgia!”, while another said: “He was definitely the best Martin.” Comment now