The performance will be coming to Theatre Royal Brighton this September.

James Bye to star as Mr Darcy in Brighton stage premiere (Image: Pamela Raith) James said: “Martin Fowler changed my life, no question.

“It was sad to say goodbye, of course it was, and in an incredibly special episode, something I’ll never get to do again in my life.

“But I like taking risks. It was definitely the right decision.”

James’ time on EastEnders came to an end earlier this year in a dramatic live episode, where his character Martin died in the Queen Vic fire.

He said: “No one suspected that affable Martin, the archetypal bloke-next-door, was going to lose his life.

“Which is what made it so effective.”

Martin’s relationship with Stacey, played by Lacey Turner, had been central to the character’s story.

James said: “The audience had always loved him and Stacey as a couple, through all their ups and downs.

“Suddenly, it looked like a happy-ever-after for them and then it was snatched away.

“Theirs wasn’t a perfect relationship but then whose is?

“That’s what made it so real.

“They’d been on this switchback journey and finally, or so it seemed, they’d found their happy place.”

The decision to end Martin’s story was kept under wraps.

James said: “Obviously, I told my wife and I also decided I wanted to be the one who told Lacey.

“It was a very emotional conversation. We’d been through a lot together.”

Rehearsing for the live episode brought out raw emotion from the cast.

James said: “When the scenes were played back so we could see how we were doing, there clearly wasn’t enough jeopardy.

“What was missing was my continuing pain, my anguish.

“I don’t think she’ll mind me saying but Lacey was upset throughout all the rehearsals.

“She couldn’t hide the fact she was sobbing. I told her she didn’t need to cry all the time.

“She said: ‘I can’t help it. I’ve got no control.’

“Then, at the final rehearsal, I lost it.

“When Stacey walked away to talk to the paramedic, it was like an out-of-body experience.

“She came back and I had tears pouring down my face.

“When I spoke again, I didn’t think anyone would be able to understand what I was saying through my choking sobs.

“But the director was delighted.

“‘That’s how we’ll do it on the live episode,’ he said.”

After the intense final scene, the two actors took a moment together.

James said: “Stacey and I lay there for five minutes when it was all over and then fell into each other’s arms, for a cry and a cuddle.

“It had been very much a team effort and we’d got through it together.”

James has not yet watched the live episode.

He said: “Well, I just haven’t had the chance.”

He is now set to return to the stage, starring as Mr Darcy in the world premiere of Death Comes to Pemberley.

The play is a murder mystery set six years after the events of Pride and Prejudice.

James said: “Most of the dates are commutable from where we live in Buckinghamshire.

“So I’ll be able to take the kids to school although not bath them in the evening.”

He and his wife Victoria have four sons, aged between 11 and nearly two.

The couple met in a Sainsbury’s car park in London’s Ladbroke Grove.

James said: “It was a promotion, something out-of-work actors have to do to keep body and soul together.

“Towards the end of the day, this gorgeous woman walked past and started showing real interest in what I was doing.”

Unbeknown to him, Victoria was working as a mystery shopper for the same company.

James said: “There was a bit of flirty banter which ended up with me giving her my phone number.”

They married in 2012 and renewed their vows in 2023 in St Lucia with their three eldest sons.

Looking to the future, James remains open to new opportunities.

He said: “I’ve never been a planner, maybe stupidly so. I’m a bit of a gambler.

“It would be great to do one of those big Netflix dramas. Let’s see what comes along.

“The way I see it, Martin Fowler set me up for anything that might now come my way.

“You’re looking at a happy man.”