Here's what's got me talking this week...
It's that time of the week again where I take a look back at the last 7 days to see what has got me talking the most.
It's been a MASSIVE week in soapland with HUGE storylines in EastEnders and Emmerdale as well as devastating news for Neighbours fans. Here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...
1
MARTIN FOWLER'S
heartbreaking death in EastEnders
It was a theory I didn't want realised. But sadly, after weeks of speculation over who will lose their life as a result of an explosion in The Queen Vic, Thursday's flawless live episode, to celebrate the soaps 40th anniversary, saw Martin Fowler tragically die after he was crushed whilst trying to save beloved ex-wife and true love, Stacey Slater.
It was impossible not to be moved by James Bye and Lacey Turner's sensational performances on Thursday. Honestly, they deserve every single award going. The chemistry between the two. The love, the pain the anguish in each of their performances was extraordinary. I'll miss seeing them both together on our screens, but thank god that we've still got plenty of Stacey Slater scenes to look forward to. Once Lacey returns from maternity leave, of course.
This week, after months of avoiding their feelings on screen, Martin and Stacey finally admitted their true love for one and other and decided to give their relationship a chance.
However their happiness, as is often the way in soapland, was short-lived when the paramedics revealed that Martin could not be saved, and he later died in Stacey’s arms as a result of his injuries.
Of course, this wasn't the first time that Stacey has had to say goodbye to someone she loved during a live episode of EastEnders. In the soap's first ever live episode, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Stacey watched on in horror as husband Bradley fell off the roof of The Queen Vic and died.
The significance of Martin's death is huge and one that really will change Walford forever. He first arrived in Walford on 30th July 1985, making him the first baby born in EastEnders to parents, Pauline and Arthur.
Martin was originally played by Jon Peyton-Price between 1985 and 1996, before James Alexandrou took on the role between 1996 and 2007 and since 2014 the iconic role was played by James Bye.
He has been at the heart of some of EastEnders biggest storylines, and his death is sure to have devastating repercussions across Albert Square as those that knew him struggle to come to terms with his death.
Speaking about his dramatic exit, James Bye said "Saying goodbye is not easy, but after 10 years at EastEnders and on the night of the shows epic 40th anniversary – the time felt right. It's an honour to leave on a story of this magnitude. A huge thank you to all the fans of the show – EastEnders wouldn't be what it is without you – and to the BBC and EastEnders team for trusting me with this role for so many years. This fruit and veg man will always hold a special place in my heart. It's time to look forward, and I'm incredibly excited for what the future holds. RIP Martin Fowler."
To which Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw added "It’s incredibly sad to say goodbye to James, who has been a much loved loyal company member for 10 years. James’ performance in tonight’s live episode was nothing short of outstanding and one that I know will touch so many of you watching at home due to his loveable portrayal of Martin Fowler, which has made him a firm favourite amongst the viewers."
"When discussing James’ exit, we knew that we needed to give Martin Fowler the big explosive storyline that his character deserved. To leave the show in such an emotional storyline, during a live episode is something incredibly courageous to do as an actor, and one that I’m sure will cement itself in EastEnders’ history. I would like to thank James for everything he’s given to EastEnders, and although we will all miss him here at Elstree, he will always remain a member of the EastEnders family and we wish him the best for the future.”
2
ANGIE WATTS'
surprise return to EastEnders
In a week full of references to the past 40 years of EastEnders, no reference was greater than Anita Dobson who after 37 years away, returned to the soap to reprise her legendary role of Angie Watts.
Appearing in the form of a vision in the original costume her character wore back in 1985, Angie graced the halls of The Queen Vic once again to support her beloved daughter, Sharon, who was seen fighting for her life as she lay under rubble following an explosion in The Queen Vic.
As helpless Sharon drifted in and out of consciousness during the aftermath of the explosion, she saw the only person who could truly help her feel safe in that moment, her mum, the one and only Angie Watts.
Speaking on the decision to bring Angie Watts back for the 40th anniversary, Chris Clenshaw, EastEnders Executive Producer said "Angie Watts is undoubtedly one of EastEnders most formidable and iconic landlady’s. Since the very first episode, Anita instantly created a character that the audience adored and she not only shaped EastEnders into the show it is today, but also had a huge impact on British television."
"Anita was of course top of our ultimate wish list when we were discussing what we would love to include in our special anniversary week, so it was the best birthday present we could ever receive when she said yes."
"Watching Angie Watts grace the halls of The Queen Victoria, 40 years to the day she made her first appearance in Walford, is a day we will never forget as we all celebrate this show that has played such an important part in British television. Happy birthday EastEnders.”
Speaking on her decision to return, Anita Dobson added "I have to say a huge thank you to everyone on the EastEnders team for making me feel so welcome. It was joyful. When I first put the costume on, it was like ‘Wow’. It was very wonderful and weird at the same time."
"When they initially asked if I would come back when I was filming for the documentary, I wasn’t really thinking of the whole picture at first, and then when they said Letitia had said that she’d like me to do it with her, I thought ‘oh my god, I can’t say no to seeing my baby again.’ It was very emotional. Incredibly emotional in a lovely, happy way. Working together again was seamless. We didn’t really think about it, or talk about it, or even rehearse it that much because we just did it. It was lovely. She’s a gorgeous human being and a lovely little actress."
3
NEIGHBOURS
coming to an end again
On Thursday, it was deja vu for Neighbours fans as the news of its axing (again) was confirmed, with the popular soap confirming reports, choosing to say that the series will be "rested" from December 2025 and not axed for good.
As the show gears up to celebrate its 40th anniversary in March, those episodes will still continue to air on Prime Video and Ten four times a week with episodes continuing through to the end of the year.
Speaking about the sad news, Executive Producer, Jason Herbison said "Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show’s first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024."
"As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally."
Before adding "We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future."
Could the decision be reversed? Could another broadcaster sweep in and save the soap once again?
Neighbours continues Mondays to Thursdays on Prime Video
4
EMMERDALE'S
multiple deaths in limo crash aftermath
It's been a huge week in soapland and whilst a lot of attention was given to EastEnders and the sensational way in which they celebrated their 40th anniversary, the other soaps did their best to compete, with Emmerdale delivering one of the soap's most dramatic weeks as the aftermath of that limo crash finally unravelled.
On Monday, a harrowing night of terror unfolded on the treacherous icy lake asthe ladies' limousine lurched on the fracturing frozen lake, each creak and groan signaling imminent disaster.
Tragedy struck the party immediately with a devastating death on impact, leaving the rest of the group shell shocked and grieving. Emerging first from the vehicle, was Charity Dingle to search for her son Noah, who had been seen staggering dangerously in the road.
The remaining passengers then faced escalating peril as the groans and cracks of the ice continued, with Amy, played by Natalie Jamieson, attempting to cross only to plunge into the icy waters of the lake and as we saw her bang beneath the ice's surface, her hope rapidly dissolved as she sank only to later be rescued from the water by Tracy in Tuesday's episode.
Elsewhere, Liam battled a worsening head injury, Kerry and made a perilous escape across the cracking ice as the limo sank taking Suzy down with it.
As Amy, Leyla, Liam and Noah were rushed to hospital in four seperate ambulances, one person tragically died in transit .
At the hospital on Wednesday, we saw chaos erup as the four emergency vehicles screeched into A&E, where young medic Jacob, who was on shift, saw his world shatter when he realised the devastating crash had involved the limousine carrying his beloved mother.
Desperate scenes the unfolded as he frantically searched the hospital corridors, only to make the most gut-wrenching discovery of his life, his mother Leyla lying lifeless in the morgue. And we saw him say his final goodbye to the woman who had raised him in some truly heartbreaking scenes.
As Liam and Amy fought for their lives, Charity demanded answers about her son Noah and his involvement in the tragedy. And the episode ended with the haunting sound of Amy's heart monitor flatlining as it echoed through the ward.
Despite briefly regaining consciousness in Thursday's epsiode, to try and tell Matty about seeing the body in the water, Amy soon died, leaving Kerry, son Kyle and husband Matty broken and devastated.
Towards the end of Thursday's episode, as if all of that wasn't enough drama, Vanessa and Tracy returned to the lake where they watched a crane pull the limo out of the lake complete with Suzy's body.
Crucially, the other dead body remained undiscovered at the bottom of the lake, with many thinking it could be Nate, as the body had the same bracelet he had on the day he left the village.
As Tracy unsuccessfully tried to phone Nate, who last year left to start a new job in Shetland following Cain's accusations that he had reignited his affair with Moira. Could he have been murdered before ever making it to Shetland? It's certainly looking that way.
And as we were left with a hooded figure watching the police leave the scene. Are we to think this is Nate's killer, returning to the scene of the crime?
Emmerdale have really pulled it out of the bag this week with a dramatic week of episodes that has gripped soap fans in a week where competition was high. Well done to all invovled for pulling off such a multi-layered storyline with stunning performances that will have a real impact on the village for months and years to come.
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