BBC EastEnders James Bye's life off-TV from cosy home to co-star 'bond'

Strictly: James Bye emotional over mention of his sons

James Bye, known for his role in EastEnders, is trading Albert Square for home renovations as he hosts a celebrity edition of Homes Under the Hammer. Teaming up with presenter Martel Maxwell, James delves into a property makeover in Leicestershire.

The special episode of Celebrity Homes Under the Hammer will air at its regular 11.15am slot on BBC One, forming part of a star-studded week for the daytime programme. Born and bred in Basingstoke, James has had roles in The Bill and The Great Train Robbery before stepping into the shoes of Martin Fowler in EastEnders in 2014.

His TV appearances also include Strictly Come Dancing, Pointless Celebrities, Richard Osman's House of Games and The Wall. Off-screen, James leads a bustling life with his wife and four children in their beautiful home, sharing their family adventures on social media.

Strictly Come Dancing accident

Amy Dowden wept as James Bye delivered an emotional tribute to her on It Takes Two in 2022 (Image: BBC2)

James Bye was paired up with dancer Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.

However, his stint on Strictly Come Dancing was not without mishaps. James confessed to Digital Spy about some clumsy incidents with his dance partner Amy Dowden: "I've dropped her, I've spun her into the ground," and "I kneed her [and] gave her a proper dead leg. I took the wrong step and I just kneed her right on the inside of the leg, and she was hobbling on."

This follows James' recollection of another painful injury during training, according to Wales Online.

Speaking to host Rylan Clark on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, James said: "I was trying to show Amy in rehearsal how strong I was by doing pull ups on a girder and I ripped my finger open.

"It is only my wedding ring keeping my finger on at the moment" and added jokingly, "Let's see how we get on with that one!"

James Bye and Amy Dowden were the fifth pair to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

How James Bye got his EastEnders breakthrough

EastEnders duo Davood Ghadami (Kush Kazemi) and James Bye (Martin Fowler) have a real-life Bromance (Image: BBC) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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James is best known for playing Martin Fowler on the BBC show EastEnders. The character is one of the longest running in the soap, having been in and out of storylines since 1985.

James Bye took over the part in 2014 when Martin - who was married to Sonia Fowler, played by Natalie Cassidy - returned to Albert Square for the first time in seven years.

Before that, the part was played by Joe Peyton Price between 1985 and 1996. However, James Alexandrou was the most notable actor to play Martin thanks to big storylines of underage pregnancy, and even a stint in prison.

James Alexandrou left in 2007 and was asked to return years later, but refused. James Bye was cast as Martin Fowler after a casting call and he made his first on-screen appearance in 2014.

After 10 years of playing the iconic character, James shared on his social media: "What a journey… Huge love to those of you who’ve messaged me on my anniversary today! It means so much. Truly…

"Big love to you all… From your favourite fruit and veg man."

Inside James Bye's marriage with children

James Bye and his wife Victoria live in Buckinghamshire with their four children (Image: Getty)

In contrast to Martin Fowler's turbulent romantic ventures in Walford, actor James Bye enjoys a more serene and fulfilled family life.

James has been married to his wife Victoria for more than 10 years. The pair first met in a Sainsbury's car park 16 years ago when Bye was working on a promotion job and "handed Victoria a fruit jelly", according to What to Watch.

This sweet gesture led to an invitation to a local pub and marked the beginning of their blooming relationship.

The couple currently live in Buckinghamshire, raising their lively boys Edward, aged 10, Louis, eight, Hugo, five, and their youngest, Rufus, at one. In January 2023, the duo celebrated their 10-year marriage milestone by renewing their vows in the idyllic setting of St Lucia.

Capturing the moment against a stunning sunset backdrop, they shared the heartfelt photo on their family Instagram account with the touching caption: 'Happy 1 year anniversary to us.... (again).'

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Victoria runs an Instagram blog called Life With The Byes which gives fans an insight into their everyday life as a family of five.

Victoria once shared the reality of what it's like raising children with their dad in the spotlight.

She wrote: "We finally settled in beautiful Bucks & the boys have grown up surrounded by countryside in our messy, noisy home and we’ve tried our best to keep things normal in the happy (and sometimes hectic) life we have. But it’s still a worry…

"When Louis comes home from school and anxiously asks me what ‘famous’ is.

"Or when Hugo thinks it’s normal that everyone takes selfies with his dad."

Bond with EastEnders co-star

Their characters Stacey and Martin Fowler have had a complicated relationship on the Square - but they have a great friendship off the soap (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

His alter-ego Martin Fowler has seen plenty of ups and down with his on-screen ex-wife Stacey Slater over the years but actors James Bye and Lacey Turner share a special bond when the cameras stop rolling.

In fact, the pair’s bond is so strong, James even asked Lacey to be Godmother to his third child Hugo.

Speaking to OK! at the time, the soap star said: "I took Lacey out for lunch to ask her. I was quite nervous and I was getting choked up asking her.

"Bless her, she was really taken aback and said it was an honour."

In 2019, Lacey gave birth to a baby girl called Dusty with husband Matt Kay, who she married in 2017.

James' wife Victoria also told Ok! Magazine that she is excited for Dusty and Hugo to grow up together, as they are very close in age.

James also asked former EastEnders co-star Davood Ghadami, who played Kush Kazemi until his character was killed off in 2021, to be godfather to his and wife Victoria's son Hugo.