Martin Fowler died during Thursday’s 40th anniversary live episode of the BBC One soap.
Bex Fowler, played by Jasmine Armfield, is returning to EastEnders (BBC/PA)
Casey Cooper-Fiske4 minutes ago
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Bex Fowler is to return to EastEnders to mourn the death of her father Martin Fowler (James Bye) with her family.
Jasmine Armfield, who left the BBC soap in 2020, will return to the role for a short stint, with her character flying home to be with her mother Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) and attend Martin’s funeral.
Martin died from a cardiac arrest in Thursday’s 40th anniversary live episode after a metal beam fell on him following an explosion in the Queen Vic pub.
Speaking about her return as Bex, Armfield said: “It’s wonderful to be back at EastEnders and to see so many familiar faces.
“It’s amazing for me to come home, but for Bex it’s an absolutely devastating time because she’s lost her dad.
“She’s grown up a lot, having spent the past few years travelling, so we’re going to see a much more mature and grown-up version of Bex this time around.”
EastEnders bosses say Bex will be left devastated by the news, as she tries to adjust to everything that’s happened in her absence, including Sonia’s incarceration for murder and the birth of her sister, Julia, also on Thursday’s live episode.
EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: “We’re delighted to welcome Jasmine home to EastEnders as part of Martin’s farewell.
“There’s no way that Bex would miss her dad’s funeral, and Sonia needs her eldest daughter more than ever.
“It’s been five years in which Bex has gone out into the world, so she’ll come back with renewed wisdom and experience.”
Bex has featured in the Walford-set soap since she was born on-screen in October 2000, being played by Alex and Vicky Gonzalez as a young child until 2002, when she was adopted by Neil and Sue Miller, despite Sonia later having regrets.
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In 2005 after Neil and Sue were killed in a car crash, Bex was reunited with Sonia and Martin as her legal guardians.
The character was played by Jade Sharif from 2005 until 2007, when Bex left Albert Square with her mother and father.
Armfield took over the role when Bex returned to EastEnders in 2014 and continued until 2020 when the character left to go travelling following a failed suicide attempt.
It was announced on Saturday that Martin’s niece Vicki Fowler would also return to the soap, played Rain Dogs actress Alice Haig, for the first time in more than 20 years, bringing her new boyfriend, Ross (Alex Walkinshaw), and his son, Joel (Max Murray).
