(Opening Scene: A somber, rain-soaked Albert Square. Black funeral carriages are visible, flower arrangements spelling out “Daddy,” and a framed photo of Martin Fowler. The atmosphere is thick with grief.)

Walford is plunged into mourning. The beloved Martin Fowler, a fixture of Albert Square, is dead. His tragic demise, a shocking casualty of the soap’s landmark 40th-anniversary live episode, has left the community reeling. Trapped beneath a fallen metal beam after the Queen Vic explosion, Martin’s final moments were a heart-wrenching declaration of love to Stacey Slater, cruelly ripped apart by his sudden death as her screams echoed through the square.

Now, the focus shifts to his funeral, a devastating goodbye that will forever haunt those who loved him. Leaked filming photos reveal the somber procession: a horse-drawn carriage bearing a floral tribute, a framed portrait of Martin, and the marketplace filled with flowers and heartfelt messages from grieving stallholders. This is a day that will forever scar Stacey, his children Lily, Arthur, Hope, and Roman, and his close friend and the mother of his daughter Bex, Sonia Fowler.

(Scene change: Stacey, her face etched with grief, stands beside the carriage, her eyes filled with tears.)

Ruby Allen, who envisioned a future with Martin, even hinting at wedding plans, is utterly devastated. His death shatters the hopes and dreams of many, including his cousin Ian Beale and close friends Sharon Watts and Zack Hudson, all of whom adored him.

The funeral also marks the return of Vicki Fowler, Martin’s niece, now played by Alice Nokes. She arrives with her new boyfriend Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his son Joel (Max Murray), planning to settle back into Walford. Chris Clenshaw, the outgoing EastEnders boss, expresses his excitement about the new additions, hinting that Vicki and her “new branch of the Fowler family” are set to make waves.

(Scene change: Sonia, her eyes red and swollen, comforts her children. A flashback shows Martin’s final moments, trapped beneath the beam, confessing his love to Stacey.)

Viewers can expect to see these heart-wrenching funeral scenes unfold next month. But the trauma doesn’t end there. James Alexandrou, who originally portrayed Martin from 1996 to 2007, breaks his silence on the character’s devastating death. He reflects on his own time in the role, acknowledging that people will forever associate him with the character, even with James Bye taking over in 2014.

Martin’s death was a result of crush syndrome. Trapped beneath the beam, the paramedic explained to Stacey that removing it would flood his body with toxins, causing excruciating pain and ultimately leading to his death. His final words, a declaration of his enduring love for Stacey, have resonated deeply with viewers, sparking a massive reaction.

(Scene change: Bex Fowler, played by Jasmine Armfield, arrives at Sonia’s house, a mature and changed young woman. She embraces her grieving mother.)

EastEnders confirms the return of Bex Fowler, Martin’s daughter, for the funeral, alongside Vicki. Jasmine Armfield, who last played the role in 2020, reprises her character. “It’s wonderful to be back at EastEnders and to see so many familiar faces,” she says. “It’s amazing for me to come home, but for Bex, it’s an absolutely devastating time because she’s lost her dad.”

Chris Clenshaw explains that Bex, having spent years traveling, returns a more mature and grown-up version of herself. “There’s no way that Bex would miss her dad’s funeral, and Sonia needs her eldest daughter more than ever.”

Bex’s return will see her reunite with her mother Sonia, who is also grappling with the trauma of giving birth to Julia amidst the rubble of the Queen Vic. Bex will reportedly be hit hard as she attempts to adjust to her father’s death.

(Scene change: A phone call between Sonia and Bex, revealing the news of Martin’s death. Sonia is in a hospital bed, her voice trembling.)

A new clip from Monday’s episode reveals Sonia informing Bex of Martin’s death over the phone. The scene is heart-wrenching, highlighting the raw grief and shock of the situation.

However, the arrival of Vicki, Ross, and Joel sparks intrigue among viewers. The fact that Ross and Joel are not given surnames in the official announcement has led to speculation about their potential connection to other Walford residents.

(Scene change: Online forums and social media posts, with fans discussing the mystery surrounding Ross and Joel.)

Fans on Reddit and other platforms are buzzing with theories. “I’ve seen a few comments of people questioning why Ross and Joel don’t have surnames,” one fan posts. “Do we think there’s more to it, or it’s just because they haven’t been introduced or featured in the credits yet?”

Another fan speculates, “We were all caught off guard with the new Mitchells, so being wary, I hope these aren’t new Brannings or Slaters LOL. It will be good to have real new blood on the Square.”

One fan even claims that Joel’s actor briefly mentioned “Joel Marshall” in his Instagram bio, raising further questions.

Alex Walkinshaw describes Ross as a “decent, hardworking family man” who “always puts family first” and is “very in love with Vicki.” Vicki, the daughter of Michelle Fowler and Den Watts, was last seen in Walford in 2004.

(Scene change: Vicki, Ross, and Joel arrive in Albert Square, their presence immediately causing ripples.)

Chris Clenshaw explains that Vicki returns under “the most tragic of circumstances” and has “changed a lot” since viewers last saw her. He hints that Vicki and her new family will soon be “making waves in Walford.”

The funeral of Martin Fowler is not just a goodbye; it’s a catalyst for change, revealing hidden connections and sparking new mysteries. The community is left to mourn, but also to grapple with the secrets and surprises that Martin’s death has unearthed.

(Final Scene: The funeral procession moves through the square. The camera focuses on the faces of the grieving residents, each carrying their own burden of loss and uncertainty. The rain continues to fall, mirroring the tears of Walford.)