EastEnders star's tragic death at 20 after refusing to take part in 'racist' storyline
Mark Fowler may be one of the most memorable faces from EastEnders, having been part of the BBC soap since its inception in 1985, all the way through to the character’s emotional exit in 2003. Back then, he rode off into the sunset on his motorbike, before sadly dying of AIDS. But, though the character was played by actor Todd Carty, 61, for more than a decade, he was originally played by another actor: David Scarboro.
David was part of the original cast when the show launched in February 1985. However, his stint on the show was short lived, and his sudden departure would soon be followed by a personal tragedy that continues to cast a shadow over the show’s early years.
Born on February 3, 1968, in Sidcup, David was a talented young actor who showed promise from an early age. He made his acting debut in BBC drama Good Neighbours in 1984 and had guest roles in popular shows like Grange Hill. But it was his role as Mark Fowler, the eldest son of the Fowler family in EastEnders, that saw him suddenly in the spotlight, aged just 17.
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The quick rise to fame that came with the role proved difficult for David to handle. Almost immediately after joining EastEnders, he grew uncomfortable with the direction his character was taking. The scriptwriters had planned a storyline where Mark would become racist, and a key scene required David to hurl racial slurs at fellow character Kelvin Carpenter, played by Paul J. Medford. David strongly objected to this portrayal, and ended up refusing to shoot the scene, which reportedly led to his abrupt departure from the show in April 1985.
His character was written out quickly, with Mark Fowler leaving his family one night without warning - the Fowler family simply woke up one morning to discover he’d left in the night. Despite making a handful of appearances up until 1987, David never came back for good. His final appearance on the show aired on Christmas Day 1987.
Outside of the show, David struggled with personal issues, including intense and intrusive media scrutiny. He also faced a legal battle around inaccurate reports about his private life, which added further stress to his already fragile mental health.
Tragically, on April 27, 1988, David was found dead at the bottom of Beachy Head in East Sussex. He was just 20 years old. The coroner returned an open verdict, leaving many questions unanswered around his death.
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David’s death left a huge impact on his family and fans. In 1989, his brother Simon presented a moving BBC documentary titled My Brother David, which explored his life and the struggles he faced, with his problems made worse as a result of relentless harassment by tabloid newspapers. His parents left the UK shortly after his death, heartbroken by the loss of their son.
As EastEnders gears up to celebrate its 40th anniversary in February 2025, David’s contribution as one of the original cast members remains a stark reminder in the show’s legacy - not just of his acting talent, but the extreme toll that fame and the media spotlight can take on young stars.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this story you can contact Samaritans in the UK and Ireland on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie
