Call The Midwife fans left very excited after spotting an EastEnders star on the show

He revealed the emotional reason for his return to TV

Call The Midwife
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 10th Jan 2023
Last updated 10th Jan 2023

Fans of the hit TV show Call The Midwife were left super excited after they spotted James Alexandrou, known for playing the role of Martin Fowler on EastEnders from 1996 to 2007, on the programme.

James took on the role of Ronnie Reynolds in the second episode of the 12th series of Call The Midwife, which follows a group of midwives working in the East End of London in the 50s and 60s. And fans LOVED seeing him back on screen.

One fan tweeted: 'It’s was lovely seeing you in Call The Midwife @JamesAlexandrou', (sic) with another writing: '@JamesAlexandrou you were brilliant to watch mate 👏👏'. A third wrote: 'You made my cry. but I cant fix her brilliant acting, storyline and cast'.

Call The Midwife

In response to the praise, the actor who has also appeared in Casualty and Silent Witness, as well as presenting Bizarre Crime in 2012, opened up about the emotional reason for his return to TV.

Telling his fans it was because his mum died of cancer, he wrote: 'Seeing some lovely messages come through about @CallTheMidwife1 with onscreen wife @LydiaLaaaaarson. Lost mum to cancer + this was a fav show of hers so was a tough gig, but one I wanted to do for her. Thanks for having me - and while we’re here - pay nurses whatever they want.' (sic)

Since sharing the reason for him appearing on the show, fans have been leaving messages of support with one writing: 'It was a wonderful episode, sorry for your loss,' another wrote: 'I thought of your mum at the time', and a third commented: 'She’d have been incredibly incredibly proud of you. It was a beautiful episode ❤️'.

This followed a tweet of the show's trailer which he shared, saying: 'Blimey guv’nor. With the incredible @LydiaLaaaaarson this one was for my mum. Thanks for having me @CallTheMidwife1 x.'

To which Lydia replied: 'Couldn’t have asked for a more generous and talented on screen hubbie. Thank u @JamesAlexandrou x'. (sic)

James left EastEnders back in 2007, however his character returned, played by James Bye in 2014. James (Alexandrou) explained his reason for not returning back in 2016. In at interview with The Nottingham Post (via DigitalSpy), he said: "They were talking for a while about me going back. They made it very clear that they were bringing the character back and they would really like me to go back but it just wasn't right for me at the time."

He continued: "It's the place where I spent 10 years of my formative years.

"The attraction in it would be to see some of my old mates and have a bit of nostalgia, and that wasn't enough at the time to do it."

Despite being an actor in several popular TV shows, since leaving EastEnders he has mostly appeared in plays and behind the camera. His Twitter bio describes him as: 'filmmaker | actor | writer | NFTS directing fiction MA'.

Call The Midwife continues on BBC One on Sundays at 8pm, and is available on iPlayer.

Take a look through Netflix shows you can look forward to this year:

Lockwood & Co.

Release date: Out now


Set in London where gifted ghost-hunters can be found in combat at night with deadly spirits, there's a new start-up in town, standing against the adult agencies.


Starring Ruby Stokes, Cameron Chapman, and Ali Hadji-Heshmati, Lockwood & Co. the series follows two teenage boys and a gifted girl who unravel a mystery that will change the course of history.

You Series 4

Release date: 9th Feb (part 1) and 9th March (part 2)


Joe has now fled to Europe to escape his 'messy' past and adopt a new identity, in the pursuit of 'pure love'. Now in London, Joe realises he isn't the only killer in the city, and has to identify and stop whoever is targeting his new friend group.

Obsession

Release date: 2023


Obsession is a contemporary adaptation of Josephine Hart's novella titled Damage, about erotic obsession and forbidden desire. Centring around a dangerous love triangle, the series follows the relationship between Anna and her fiancé's father.

Squid Game: The Challenge

Release date: 2023


The follow-up to the hugely popular Korean-language series Squid Game will return in 2023. This series will see a group of people left in a paradise location, given a key card for a dream villa, however only half of the keys will work.


The only way to get inside the villa is to be the winner of a daily survival challenge. However, with every person that goes into the villa someone else must leave, and only the people in the villa have the chance to win a huge cash prize.

Our Planet II

Release date: 2023


Our Planet II is from the same award-winning team as Planet Earth and Our Planet. This series captures the animals on our planet, telling their dramatic and compelling stories.

Heartstopper series 2

Release date: 2023


Heartstopper was a huge hit when it was added to Netflix in April 2022, and in 2023 it will return for second series, along with a third series at a later date. The first series introduced Charlie and Nick, along with their circle of friends, who met at school.


Although not much is known about the next series, it will see Kit Connor, Joe Locke, Yasmin Finney and William Gao reprise their roles.

Queen Charlotte

Release date: 2023


This Bridgerton-verse prequel tells the story of how the young Queen marries King George. Queen Charlotte stars Golda Rosheuvel in the title role and also features Bridgerton's Hugh Sachs.

Top Boy series 3

Release date: 2023


After two successful series, Top Boy is returning in 2023 for a third. Top Boy season 2 starred Ashley Walters (Bulletproof, Small Island), Kane Robinson, and Micheal Ward (The A List, Blue Story), along with new cast members, Josephine De La Baume (A Very Secret Service), Howard Charles (Shadow and Bone), and Ava Brennan (Hellboy).

The Crown series 6

Release date: 2023


The Crown will return for another hit series in 2023. Series 5 of The Crown followed the Queen as she approached the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne and Prince Charles pressured his mother to allow him to divorce Diana.

The Witcher series 3

Release date: 2023


The Witcher series 3 will see the return of Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan amongst other cast members along with new additions, Robbie Amell, Meng'er Zhang, Hugh Skinner and Christelle Elwin.

Netflix documentary series

Netflix documentary series to look forward to in 2023.


At Home with the Furys
This series will have access to Tyson Fury, heavyweight champion as he tries to embrace retirement with his family, including wife Paris and his six children.


David Beckham
Following David's life from his humble beginnings in East London, this series includes some never-before-seen personal footage along with interviews with his friends and family.


Robbie Williams
An unfiltered, in-depth examination of Robbie Williams, this series follows the highs and lows of his career including addiction, break-ups and the impact it's had on his mental health.

Now read:

What TV shows has Martin Compston been on?

Ant and Dec reveal exciting details about 'quite brutal' I'm A Celeb: All Stars

Your ultimate guide to The Apprentice

How to listen to Cool FM:

Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for music, Cool FM on 97.4FM, online, on our Rayo app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Cool FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists, from Pete Snodden in the morning to the NI Hit 40.