Having watched his character Martin Fowler grow from a bolshy pre-teen into a father and husband over the last ten years, news that EastEnders actor James Alexandrou is to quit will come as a shock to the soap's fans.
Just days after Natalie Cassidy, the actress who plays his on-screen wife, announced that she is also to leave Albert Square, James, who celebrated his 21st birthday on April 12, has decided to call time on his Walford days.
Speaking to The Sun, James said: "I've decided to leave the show to experience other aspects of my industry. Having turned 21, I feel it is an appropriate time to leave."
While producers are apparently intent on sending Martin out in style, they also plan on keeping the door open, should James ever decide to return – something which he is obviously not ruling out. "I owe everything to the show. I would love to come back one day – that is, if EastEnders will have me."
With a host of the show's most high-profile stars taking their leave recently - Christmas 2005 saw Jessie Wallace's and Shane Richie's departures, Nigel Harman, the actor behind Dennis Rickman, 'died' on New Year's Eve, and Kacey Ainsworth, who played little Mo, is due to leave next month after five years – TV bosses are apparently looking to the recently-returned old guard of the Mitchell brothers to help fill the gap.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
