Martin meets his match in Stacey?

The upcoming double Halloween episode of EastEnders sees a major turning point in Martin and Stacey’s storyline, when he proposes to her in his own unique way. What will Stacey say? Whatever happens, actor James Bye, who plays Martin, is delighted with the way their story is heading.

“Martin’s a normal bloke and he’s put so much effort into Stacey,” he reveals. “As we’ve seen he’s got knocked back so many times and now he’s got what I think is this normal relationship. He’s head-over-heels in love with her and I think he’s starting to feel that in return.”

We wondered if Stacey might be too much of a handful for Martin at times? “At the end of the day, Stacey can get a bit feisty! He’s known her and knew what he was getting into. He’s not expecting hugs and kisses, and that’s why I think they work. That’s the genius of Dom (executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins) with that relationship. She’s quite fiery and has a go at him, but it’s not like he backs off. He gives it her back and that’s why I think it works.”

James reminds us that Stacey’s admission that she was pregnant didn’t initially go down well with Martin. “When he found out that she was pregnant his first reaction wasn’t ‘I want this baby,’ - he said he wanted an abortion. But then he realised what he wanted. He loves Stacey, and the baby just kind of fits in with that relationship.”

Is James looking forward to all those upcoming baby scenes? “I look forward to filming anything with babies. It’s going to be hard work, but it’s nice to have them around the studio!”

The special hour-long Halloween episode of EastEnders will air from 7.30pm on Friday 30th October.