James Bye

This article is about British actor. For English footballer, see James Bye (footballer).

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.

James Bye
Bye in 2016
Born	James Edward Bye (1984-02-23) 23 February 1984 (age 41) Basingstoke, Hampshire, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2006–present
Known for	Role of Martin Fowler in EastEnders
Spouse	Victoria Bye ​ (m. 2012)​
Children	4

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] He is set to play Mr. Darcy in the stage adaptation of P. D. James's mystery novel Death Comes to Pemberley (a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice), which will tour the UK from 1 May to 13 September 2025.^[5]

Personal life

Bye and his wife Victoria married in 2012, four years after they began dating.^[1] They have four sons.^[6]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role
2010	Cemetery Junction	Tough Guy in Club
2013	Hummingbird	Football Supporter 2
2014	The Hooligan Factory	Pete The Killer

Television

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"
2025	Homes Under the Hammer	Himself / Presenter	Episode: "Celebrity Special with Martel and James Bye"

Stage

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2025	Death Comes to Pemberley	Mr. Darcy	UK tour

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Result	Ref.
2016	British Soap Awards	Best Actor	Longlisted	[7]
2016	Inside Soap Awards	Best Actor	Longlisted	[8]
2016	Inside Soap Awards	Best Partnership (with Lacey Turner)	Shortlisted	[9]
2017	British Soap Awards	Best On-Screen Partnership (with Lacey Turner)	Nominated	[10]
2017	Digital Spy Reader Awards	Best Soap Relationship (with Lacey Turner)	Third	[11]
2020	National Television Awards	Serial Drama Performance	Longlisted	[12]
2020	Inside Soap Awards	Best Actor	Longlisted	[13]
2022	Inside Soap Awards	Best Double Act (with James Farrar)	Longlisted	[14]