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EASTENDERS alum James Bye’s new job has been revealed – after the tragic death of alter-ego Martin Fowler.

James, 41, played beloved Martin from 2014 until he was killed off in the BBC soap’s live 40th anniversary episode.

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James Bye’s next steps after EastEnders have been revealed[/caption]

BBC

Martin Fowler was tragically killed in the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode[/caption]

BBC

James played the role of Martin for a decade[/caption]

The actor’s next move after leaving Albert Square behind has now been revealed.

He will play iconic Jane Austen hero Mr Darcy in the theatrical world premiere of Death Comes To Pemberley.

Addressing his new role, James said: “I am leaving EastEnders on an absolute high after the explosive live 40th anniversary episode.

“After a decade of gritty storylines it’s going to be quite a switch to put on period clothes as one of literature’s romantic leading men, but I can’t wait for this new chapter to begin.”

Written by P.D. James, the 2011 novel is a murder-mystery continuation to Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

This stage adaptation was adapted by Duncan Abel and Rachel Wagstaff, while it is directed by Joe Harmston.

It also includes Endeavour star Sean Rigby as Colonel Fitzwilliam among the cast.

Viewers watched as Martin died heroically following an explosion tearing through the Queen Vic.

The fruit-and-veg stall holder stayed behind to rescue his beloved ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).

As the two made their exit, a steel beam fell and crushed Martin’s legs.

Much of the live episode focused on paramedics’ attempts to help the legacy character.

Despite administering morphine, it soon became clear that Martin’s injuries were catastrophic.

As he lay trapped, he used his final moments to propose to Stacey, declaring his undying love for her.

But after the emergency services began to lift the beam, Martin succumbed to his injuries, leaving Stacey screaming in devastation.

Since then, it has been revealed that some of Martin’s family will return to Walford for his funeral.

Namely, his daughter Bex (Jasmine Armfield) and cousin Vicki (who is now played by Alice Haig).

Vicki will be accompanied by her boyfriend Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his son Joel (Max Murray).

EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer.

BBC

Jasmine Armfield reprises her role as Bex for Martin’s funeral[/caption]

LEICESTER CITY have parted company with two first-team coaches after their relegation fears deepened over the weekend.

The Foxes are currently sat in 19th place in the Premier League and five points adrift of safety.

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Two members of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s backroom staff have been sacked at Leicester as relegation looms[/caption]

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First team coach Ben Dawson and goalkeeping coach Danny Alcock both left in a brief joint statement[/caption]

A 4-0 drubbing in front of their own fans at the hands of Brentford did not help to allay those fears.

And with both West Ham and Wolves winning at the weekend against Arsenal and Bournemouth respectively, Ruud van Nistelrooy‘s side have only slipped into the relegation mire.

In a bid to reverse what seems inevitable, Leicester have parted company with two members of Van Nistelrooy’s backroom staff.

These are first-team coach Ben Dawson and goalkeeping coach Danny Alcock.

In a brief statement published this morning, the club said: “Leicester City has today parted company with First Team Coaches Ben Dawson and Danny Alcock.

“Both Ben and Danny joined the Club at the start of the 2024/25 season, serving under both Steve Cooper and Ruud van Nistelrooy, while also overseeing a brief spell in interim charge of the First Team squad.

“We place on record our thanks to Ben and Danny for their contribution and service and wish them both well in the next steps of their respective careers.”

Leicester named Van Nistelrooy as manager in late November after sacking Steve Cooper.

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He took charge of his first game against West Ham on December 3, winning 3-1, before securing a 2-2 draw with Brighton five days later.

But Leicester then went on a seven-game losing run in the league, only winning away at injury-ravaged Tottenham.

But it was soon back to usual as they were thrashed 4-0 by Everton before losing 2-0 to Arsenal and, most recently, Brentford.

Friday’s defeat to the Bees has seen the Foxes pick up the unwanted record of being the first team in Premier League history to lose six games in a row at home without scoring, for an aggregate score of 15-0.

Speaking after the stinging defeat, Van Nistelrooy – who started the season as assistant to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United – said: “From now on, I can only ask the players to play to their capabilities.

“So far we are doing everything we can but the level of opposition that we face is too big for us. It’s difficult to compete.

“We get disappointed every week and then we have to try and pick ourselves up.

“We have to recover from blow after blow. Then we have to pick ourselves up and try and get some positives performances.

“I can only say that every individual, me first, is taking full responsibility. I have to recover and reflect, like all the staff here and take it from there.

“Brentford took over. They killed the game. Overall you have to give them credit, they outplayed us.

“They are ahead of us with their squad. It was too difficult for us to compete with them.”

Leicester’s next game sees them pay a visit to West Ham before a nightmare run of fixtures against Chelsea, Man Utd, Manchester City and Newcastle.

A supercomputer also fails to see Leicester mounting a great escape like they managed exactly ten years ago before they managed to stun the world by winning the title the following season.

The 2014/15 season saw Nigel Pearson‘s crafty Foxes win seven of their last nine league games to climb out of the relegation zone after being marooned at the bottom of the table for four-and-a-half months.

Such miracles have proven to be rare, but not impossible.

And that hope is just about all the Foxes can hang on to as the season progresses.

MOLLY-MAE Hague has been spotted without her sparkling engagement ring after a weekend away with Tommy Fury.

There was no sign of the huge diamond rock Tommy proposed with in Ibiza almost two years ago.

MCPIX

Molly-Mae Hague was spotted arriving at her Manchester office today[/caption]

McPix/Backgrid

There was no sign of the huge engagement ring Tommy proposed with[/caption]

Instagram

Instagram

The influencer, 25, was heading to work in Manchester when she flashed her left hand.

She wore a long black coat over grey jeans from her collection and teamed them with a smart black jumper.

The Maebe founder and fashion mogul was recently spotted wearing a ring on her wedding finger, but her left hand was notably bare today as she clutched a container filled with coffee.

The mum looked effortlessly chic, carrying a designer bag worth over £3,600.

Molly has recently sparked rumours she has secretly taken her ex fiancé back following claims he cheated on a lads’ holiday.

The Sun revealed Tommy whisked Molly away on a romantic night for Valentine’s Day.

The couple hired a babysitter to take care of their daughter Bambi, so they could get some alone time.

We first revealed the couple were getting back together when they shared a kiss on New Year’s Eve.

Despite Molly’s friends and family not being happy about them giving it another go, Tommy hopes their trip is another step towards getting their relationship back on track.

A source told The Sun: “Tommy’s pulling out all the stops and whisking Molly away for a night to somewhere they’ve stayed before in happier times.

“He’s clearly hoping it’ll work its magic on Valentine’s night and she’ll remember how happy they used to be”

Molly-Mae was recently spotted wearing a diferent ring on her left hand at glam private dining club Isabel in Mayfair.

The Love Island alum was seen arriving at the A Seat At the Table event with entrepreneur Emma Grede with her signature ring stacks – including Cartier bands – on her left hand.

The diamond letter B ring, worn on her wedding finger and in reference to her daughter Bambi, aged two, couldn’t be missed.

It comes after the Love Island star revealed in her warts-and-all Prime Video documentary, Molly Mae: Behind It All, that Tommy’s problems with alcohol were behind their split.

The pair are living apart while they work through their relationsip crisis.

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Molly-Mae looked ready for work[/caption]

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The couple are living apart while they work through their relationsip crisis[/caption]

A Strictly Come Dancing star is swapping the dancefloor for the great outdoors in a surprise Countryfile presenter shake-up.

Radio presenter and Strictly Come Dancing alum Vick Hope is heading into the wild as the latest addition to the Countryfile presenting team.

BBC

Vick Hope is swapping the radio for the wild as she joins Countryfile[/caption]

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She gets involved in a groundbreaking conservation project alongside Matt Baker[/caption]

BBC

The TV star will make her debut in March, kicking things off with a trip to Kielder Forest.

The 35-year-old is best known for hosting BBC Radio 1’s drivetime show with Katie Thistleton and Jamie Laing.

As well as her stint on Strictly Come Dancing, Vick has also appeared in I’m A Celebrity, The Daily Drop and Pointless.

Taking to X – formerly Twitter – the BBC Press wrote: “It’s official! Vick Hope is joining @BBCCountryfile.

“Vick’s first episode will air Sunday 9 March on @BBCiPlayer and @BBCOne as she joins fellow Tynesider Matt Baker to explore Kielder Forest.”

Vick will be joining regular presenters John Craven, Matt Baker, Anita Rani, Adam Henson, Hamza Yassin, Sean Fletcher, Sammi Kinghorn, Margherita Taylor, Charlotte Smith, Joe Crowley, Tom Heap and Datshiane Navanayagam.

Vick said in a statement: “I’m delighted to be joining the Countryfile team – spending time in nature has always been hugely important to me, so the chance to learn ever more about the world around us from such beautifully diverse perspectives and such a passionate mix of people who live and breathe country life across the UK will be so special and enriching.

“I grew up not too far from Kielder Forest which is where my first filming will take place, and have fond memories of orienteering there as a child; the opportunity to return and champion an area that has meant so much to me as my first assignment is an incredible full circle moment – I can’t wait.”

In her first episode, Vick will team up with fellow Tynesider Matt Baker as they explore how Northumberland’s Kielder Forest is being reimagined for the future.

She’ll also get stuck in at the Kielder Salmon Centre, helping to collect juvenile freshwater pearl mussels in a hands-on conservation effort.

Countryfile’s series editor Mark Beech revealed that he is “thrilled” to welcome Vick into the BBC show’s line-up.

He said: “Growing up in rural Northumberland, Vick has a genuine connection to the countryside, and we’re excited for her to bring that personal insight, alongside her vibrant energy to the show.

“We look forward to seeing her lace up her boots, brave the elements and head out to visit the people and places of our beautiful countryside.”

The presenter tied the knot with Calvin Harris just five months ago.

But she was forced to hit back after she was accused of flaunting her wealth with a topless holiday snap.

After posting a tropical beach photo on Instagram, harsh online critics who accused her of flaunting her glamorous lifestyle.

One user commented: “It’s nearly February, it’s freezing and no one has any money but thanks.”

Vick replied: “Ok next time will post a pic of my grim commute home tonight from work in the storm to brighten up the timeline.”

Another user added: “We know u and Calvin have worked hard, but it’s almost February, the weather is c**p and we’d all love to get away for a bit of sunshine.

“So thanks for flaunting your glamorous life when 95% of the country are struggling to pay some bills right now.”

The star hit back and responded: “I’m not on holiday, I was at work today, have been all week, well aware that it’s bloody cold I’m freezing my tits off right now. It’s a throwback picture from a past holiday, not that deep.”

The pictures were captured during her honeymoon with DJ Calvin Harris earlier this month, as the couple travelled to Mexico for their honeymoon.

A source told The Sun: “Calvin and Vick’s wedding was a day none of their guests will ever forget.

“Their vows were really emotional and the marriage ceremony included poems like Ernest Hemmingway’s If There’s Empty Spaces In Your Heart and Lori Eberhai’s Devoted.

“They didn’t stop smiling all day. Calvin and Vick are so clearly madly in love, it was a truly beautiful day.”

When he isn’t in sun-soaked luxury locations, Calvin has been releasing collaborations with Sam Smith and Eliza Rose.

Instagram / @vicknhope

The Mega Agency

She took to Mexico with her fiance Calvin Harris[/caption]

Mega

A source told The Sun that their wedding was a day none of their guests will forget[/caption]

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