EastEnders fans 'sobbing' after 'brutal' live episode

EastEnders fans said they were left "sobbing" after a "brutal" live episode that saw a much-loved character killed off.

The BBC soap is celebrating its 40th anniversary and marked the milestone with a live episode on Thursday, 20 February. There was chaos in Albert Square as an explosion had rocked the Queen Vic, leaving two lives hanging in the balance.

Martin Fowler (James Bye) was trapped underneath a steel beam, where he and Stacey (Lacey Turner) tearfully professed their love to one another, while Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) gave birth in the rubble. Martin and the baby were both in danger throughout the emotional instalment, and fans posted messages on social media saying they felt "stressed" and tearful and couldn't cope.

Martin's legs were trapped under a huge beam but Stacey remained by his side and the pair bared their souls to each other, talking about being married and the future. "I am looking forward to doing all that because I get to do it with you," Stacey said.

But things took a turn for the worse when paramedics warned her that Martin was at risk of Crush syndrome, explaining: "The beam has been crushing his legs so when they lift it off, the toxins that have been building up, they are going to flood his system. This could cause kidney failure and ultimately a cardiac arrest."

The pair were both in tears as they waited for the beam to be lifted, with Martin saying he was the "luckiest man in the world" to be with Stacey and telling her: "You are everything I ever wanted."

She mouthed "I love you" as the firemen got to work, but minutes after the beam was removed, Martin died.

Meanwhile, Sonia had to give birth amid the dust and rubble, with Bianca (Patsy Palmer) and Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) there to help her deliver. There were terrifying scenes when the baby girl was born and she failed to cry, while exhausted Sonia just lay back on the floor and gazed into the distance.

Desperately trying to rouse her, Bianca and Lauren started screaming. "Sonia! Sonia! We need your help!" Bianca shouted. "Your baby is going to die!" screamed Lauren, which seemed to push the new mum into action.

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The other Walford residents had gathered outside in Albert Square to await news of those trapped inside, and a few minutes later there was a ripple of delight when word got round that Sonia and her baby had pulled through.

Fans admitted they felt as if they had been put through the wringer with the live episode, with many confessing to being in tears.

"I can't cope I'm not okay," one person wrote on X.

Another posted: "We watched Martin grow up, we grew up with him! I guessed this would happen but I’m still devastated. It’s ridiculous how upset I am about this!"

"LITERALLY SOBBING. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME," said someone else.

"Actually heartbroken poor Martin, so brutal he didn’t deserve this!" posted another upset fan.

Another commented: "Fully sobbing at that EastEnders episode whoever wrote that I hope you have nightmares."

Someone else said they needed "5-7 days to recover".

"Oh my God not Martin my heart is completely broken," one viewer wrote on the platform.

Others were impressed with the way the actors handled the live episode.

"Incredible live episode of EastEnders," remarked one. "Just brilliant acting and storytelling. Congratulations to everyone involved."

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square is available on BBC iPlayer.