Martin Fowler (James Bye) is set for a new romance story as he returns to Albert Square in upcoming EastEnders scenes.
The stallholder is left shocked when he walks in on Stacey Slater and Jack Branning (Lacey Turner and Scott Maslen) within minutes of his arrival, and the secret couple are quick to insist that it was a moment of madness and beg him not to tell Denise Fox (Diane Parish).
After chasing after Martin, Stacey confesses to her affair with Jack, but insists that it is over and is none of his business.
Torn, Martin confides in Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) about what he’s learnt, and she urges him to keep the secret, fearing the consequences for the rest of The Six if Denise was to find out.
Elsewhere, Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) is horrified to find son Will (Freddie Phillips) vaping, and demands to know where he got it from.
Will admits that Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) sold it to him, and Honey is quick to confront her mum Priya (Sophie Khan Levy) in the Vic.
Though Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) is apologetic, Priya makes the whole situation ten times worse.
When Ravi criticises Priya’s parenting skills after confronting Avani, the two parents have a blazing row.
Following the showdown, Priya flirts with Martin, inviting him to buy her a drink at Peggy’s later that evening.
Ravi soon finds Priya and apologises, and they later share a warm moment in Peggy’s as they discuss Avani.
However, when Ravi asks if he can join her for a drink, she knocks him back in favour of Martin, who has just arrived.Could Martin and Priya be the Square’s new power couple, or will Ravi get in the way of their romance?
Jack and Stacey play down their kiss in front of Martin, begging him not to tell Denise. However, Stacey later confesses to Martin about the affair, clarifying that it’s over and none of his business.
Martin shares his discovery with Kathy, who encourages him to keep quiet as she privately fears the consequences for The Six if Denise finds out. Later, Jack and Denise reach a breakthrough as they vow to fix their relationship.
Meanwhile, Dean is forced to create a cover story when Jade and Jean question why he has been avoiding calls and texts from Shabnam.
Later, Dean tells Jade that he’ll only let her attend the fundraiser at The Vic if she’s well enough. Jade is oblivious as Dean continues to tamper with her medication.
A conversation with Denise piques Stacey’s guilt at the family BBQ, and she soon finds herself outside with Jack, lamenting on how she wishes she could be selfish and that they could be together.
Jack comforts Stacey and the pair share what is meant to be one final kiss.
Unfortunately for them, however, they are spotted by a stunned Martin.
Martin is left stunned after catching Stacey and Jack kissing, and despite initially trying to convince him it was a one off, Stacey soon tells him that they have had an affair, while adding that it really is none of his business.
While Jack and Denise continue to try and work through things, and even have a small breakthrough, Martin vents to Kathy about what he saw. Kathy desperately tries to persuade him to stay quiet about it, but that may prove to be too difficult for him. What will Martin do?
With Ravi and Priya clashing over Avani’s vaping business, she is quick to seek a distraction – and she sets her sights on Martin who agrees to take her out for a drink.
Later at Peggy’s, Ravi approaches Priya to try and clear the air and, despite it seemingly working, his offer of a drink is knocked back in favour of time with Martin.
Are Priya and Martin set to be the next hot couple of Walford or does she really still have eyes for Ravi?
EastEnders has confirmed that Martin Fowler’s return scenes will air later this month.
Martin has been name-checked in the latest set of official EastEnders teaser spoilers for upcoming episodes.
Viewers last saw Martin on January 22 when he headed off to Australia to support his sister Michelle, who was recovering from an operation.
EastEnders‘ newly-released short spoilers cover episodes airing on Monday, March 18, Tuesday, March 19, Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21.
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These tease a dilemma for Martin – and a potential new love interest.
Penny is on a mission to help Lauren, Ravi tries to take control, and Martin has a new lady in his sights.
In real life, James Bye – who plays Martin – took a short break from EastEnders late last year to appear in a Christmas pantomime.
He played The Prince in the musical version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.
The soap’s stars will not be taking pantomime breaks this Christmas as show bosses want key cast to be involved in the filming for the 40th anniversary episodes, which air in February 2025.
