# James Bye

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.

## Early life

James Edward Bye was born on 23 February 1984 in Basingstoke, to parents Leonard and Pauline. He has a younger sister, Amy. Bye attended the Hurst Community College in Baughurst, before enrolling at Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke.

## Career

Bye's first acting role was in a 2006 episode of the television series The Bill as Tom Burrows. 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. 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. In 2022, he competed in series 20 of the dancing show Strictly Come Dancing. 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.

## Personal life

Bye and his wife Victoria married in 2012, four years after they began dating. They have four sons.

## 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" |
| 2020 | 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 | Himself / Contestant | Series 20 |
| 2023 | The Hit List | Himself / Contestant | Episode: "Strictly Come Dancing Special" |
| 2023 | Richard Osman's House of Games | Himself / Contestant | Series 7 (Week 9) |
| 2024 | The Weakest Link | Himself / Contestant | 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 |
| 2016 | British Soap Awards | Best Actor | Longlisted |
| 2016 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actor | Longlisted |
| 2016 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Partnership (with Lacey Turner) | Shortlisted |
| 2017 | British Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership (with Lacey Turner) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Digital Spy Reader Awards | Best Soap Relationship (with Lacey Turner) | Third |
| 2020 | National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Longlisted |
| 2020 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actor | Longlisted |
| 2022 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Double Act (with James Farrar) | Longlisted |