How much can a young lad take? Having grown out of some serious teenage delinquincy, Martin's had to cope with the loss of his much-loved brother Mark and, now, the apparent murder of mum Pauline. Close to the edge doesn't begin to describe him!
You can't expect me to be a kid forever!
1985 Was born in July, a late baby for mum Pauline and dad Arthur. Contracts gastroenteritis just before his Christening and the ceremony is postponed.
1996 Arthur dies from a brain haemorrhage. Big brother Mark plays surrogate dad but has trouble keeping Martin under control.
1997 Falls in with a bad crowd of kids and roams Walford causing trouble and stealing.
1999 Now a teenager, he falls for his first girlfriend, pretty schoolgirl Nicky DiMarco.
2000 Gets a job as a decorator with Jeff Healy. Loses his virginity to local girl Sonia Fowler when Nicky turns down his advances and then brags to his mates. Sonia gives birth to their daughter, Chloe, in October.
2001 Pauline wants Martin to keep the baby when Sonia puts her up for adoption, but Martin can’t deal with the responsibility and Pauline drops the custody case.
2002 Martin passes his driving test but gets a ban for speeding. Defies the ban to take a spin in his new car and he accidentally runs over and kills teenager Jamie Mitchell.
2003 Pleads guilty in court and does some time in prison. Takes over brother Mark’s stall when he leaves. Robs the Minute Mart but lets Gus take the rap then tries to blackmail new girl Kareena and takes up growing marijuana. Grows close to Sonia and they sleep together again.
2004 Devastated by the death abroad of brother Mark. Realises how strong his feelings for Sonia are and proposes at the allotment. The pair elope to Southend to marry after family arguments about their wedding plans.
2005 Makes contact with daughter Chloe, who now goes by her new name of Rebecca. Marriage to Sonia disintegrates, but is given a chance to look after Rebecca when her gran goes into hospital.
2006 Takes on Rebecca after her adopted gran dies. Is reunited with Sonia, but they have to keep their relationship secret from a very disapproving Pauline. Tells Rebecca that he and Sonia are her real parents.
James was born on 12 April 1985 and studied drama at the Anna Scher Theatre School as a child. He took over the role of Martin in 1996 and has been there ever since, but will be leaving the show in early 2007.
James is currently dating co-star Kara Tointon, who plays Dawn Swann.
