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 ofMartin Fowler inEastEnders |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
James Edward Bye (born 23 February 1984) is an English actor who playedMartin Fowler inEastEnders from 2014 to 2025. He also competed inseries 20 ofStrictly Come Dancing in 2022.
James Edward Bye was born on 23 February 1984 inBasingstoke, to parents Leonard and Pauline.[1] He has a younger sister, Amy.[1] Bye attendedthe Hurst Community College inBaughurst, before enrolling atQueen Mary's College in Basingstoke.[1]
Bye's first acting role was in a 2006 episode of the television seriesThe Bill as Tom Burrows.[1] He later had a part in the filmCemetery Junction in 2010, followed by appearances in the filmsHummingbird (2013) andThe Hooligan Factory (2014), as well as the miniseriesThe Great Train Robbery (2013). In October 2014, Bye was cast in the role ofMartin Fowler in theBBC One soap operaEastEnders.[2] His character was killed off during the live episode of the show's40th anniversary on 20 February 2025, with Bye consequently departing the series.[3] In 2022, he competed inseries 20 of the dancing showStrictly Come Dancing.[4] He is set to playMr. Darcy in the stage adaptation ofP. D. James's mystery novelDeath Comes to Pemberley (a sequel toJane Austen'sPride and Prejudice), which will tour the UK from 1 May to 13 September 2025.[5]
Bye and his wife Victoria married in 2012, four years after they began dating.[1] They have four sons.[6]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Cemetery Junction | Tough Guy in Club |
| 2013 | Hummingbird | Football Supporter 2 |
| 2014 | The Hooligan Factory | Pete The Killer |
| 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" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Death Comes to Pemberley | Mr. Darcy | UK tour |
| 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 (withLacey 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 (withJames Farrar) | Longlisted | [14] |
