Sarah Cairns was the ex-stalker of Martin Fowler. She was also the ex-wife of Tony. She made her first appearance on 3 September 2004 and last on 22 October 2004. She was portrayed by Alison Pargeter.
Backstory[]
Sarah was born prior to 1985, she is a dog lover, and when she was a child, she always wanted to have a Baxi dog but unfortunately it never happened. Sarah has been in two very unlucky previous relationships, once many years ago Sarah got engaged to a man at a Christmas Party at one of the job's she was temping at which she thought was quite romantic, as they both had a very drunken night together, but unfortunately he legged it, and also did a runner at the last minute, with Sarah never seeing or hearing from him again, as she believed, he was on the rebound, and Sarah ended up keeping the engagement ring which came from their Christmas Cracker that they both pulled together at the Christmas Party.
Sarah later moved on, and met a man called Tony, and they ended up getting married, but there marriage didn't last, Tony was a man who would seem very tense, as he was stressed, either It's because Tony was working too hard, or he was hiding something from Sarah, and later, it turned out that Tony was cheating on Sarah with another woman, as Sarah came home from work one night she found her, she found them both in bed together, which lead to Sarah and Tony splitting up and getting divorced.
It is believed that Sarah had some past history of knowing Tariq Larousi, but it's unknown to what Sarah and Tariq's past history, interactions and connections actually were. Although, it is also believed that Sarah doesn't seem too keen on Tariq. However, it has been implied that Sarah was friends with Tariq's half sister Kareena Ferreira. Through the years, whilst working as a barmaid, it was implied that Sarah endured repeated sexual harassment by various men. It was implied that these men would constantly leer at her, check her out, and attempt to pull her. However, it was also implied that The harassment was not limited to suggestive looks, there were implication of unwanted physical content, and more sinister actions. as it was more implied that not only did Sarah endure repeated sexual harassment but also sexual assault too, However, It is also believed and implied that these multiple incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault, occurred repeatedly at every bar she had worked at every single night, have had a profound and detrimental impact on Sarah's mental health, contributing to her current mental instability.
Sarah was sent to work at Angie's Den nightclub in Walford by her job agency, and every time Sarah was sent to work in the Walford area from where she lived in Wimbledon, she always takes a cab there because it makes her feel more safer to travel there, and it is believed that Sarah has had previous history of occasionally working as a barmaid in the Walford area on a number of occasions during the past.
Storylines[]
2004: Arrival, stalking Martin and trying to destroy Martin and Sonia's marriage[]
Sarah is a barmaid who worked in Angie's Den. In September 2004, Martin Fowler and his friends Mickey Miller, Spencer Moon, Ronny Ferreira and Tariq all go out for the evening and pretend to have a stag party in Angie's Den order to get some free drinks. And they all get very drunk together, A drunk Tariq is seen flirting with a barmaid called Sarah who works at Angie's Den nightclub, Tariq already knows Sarah's name, suggesting a past connection though Sarah appeared disinterested. Later on, A drunk Martin starts flirting with Sarah. She mentions to Martin that her job agency often sent her to work in the Walford area, and she would take cabs there for safety, implying previous barmaid work in the vicinity. The next morning, Martin wakes up in Sarah's bed at her flat and realises that he slept with her. Martin admits to Sarah that he has made a big mistake and tells her that he is married man and Sarah seems to back off. However just very soon after Sarah met Martin, it becomes clear to Martin that she is mentally unstable, as she begins to stalk Martin and sending him text messages declaring her love for him, They meet up again at Angie's Den, were Sarah believes it's fate. Sarah thinks Martin is just like her, and can't resist her, but Martin explains it's not possible. Sarah asks Martin if he still wants her, but he confesses he loves his Sonia. Sarah believes love is about sharing, but Martin insists his in love with Sonia, Sarah questions why Martin hasn't told Sonia about her, and Martin lies, saying he already has that Sonia already forgive him, However, Martin warns Sarah not to see him again. On the day of Andy Hunter and Sam Mitchell's wedding, Sarah continues sending text messages to Martin, saying that she likes his suit as she's spying on him, Martin runs outside of his house, chases Sarah's car as she drives off, then Martin throws his mobile phone on the floor, and smashes it up in anger.
Martin tries to hide from Sarah in the cafe, but she spots him and enters. She asks him why he hasn't responded to her texts, thinking that he might be in a coma. Martin explains his phone was broken and tells Sarah that he was hiding from her. He confronts Sarah about watching him through the window his house on the day of the wedding, and texting about what he was wearing. Sarah admits she was trying to tease him and apologise. They both mention needing to get back to work, but Sarah suggests they hang out later to meet Sonia. Martin explains Sonia is working. Sarah suggests about meeting tomorrow, but Martin says Sonia is busy, Sarah then suggests about her and Martin met up after work, he initially declines, However, Sarah then says she'll go straight to his house, which convinces Martin to agree to meet Sarah at Angie's Den nightclub. Unbeknownst to Martin, Sarah is actually planning her own date with him at Angie's Den. Martin is ready to confront Sarah at Angie's Den, but Martin seeks advice from Alfie Moon, who advice him keep his distance. Martin meets Sarah anyway, feeling trapped. Meanwhile whilst Martin and Sarah are at the club, Sarah and Kareena are seen waving to each other indicating a friendship, Sarah reveals to Martin that her ex-husband Tony, cheated on her, leading to their divorce. Later Martin explains to Sarah again that his married and they should not see each other anymore, Sarah manipulates Martin, accusing him of lying and sleeping with her. then Martin walks away, but Sarah follows him, Martin calls their relationship a mistake. He tells her to leave him alone, and walks away leaving Sarah in tears. Sarah continues spy on Martin and his wife Sonia Fowler, She goes as far as spying in the window of the Fowler's again, whilst Martin and Sonia were still out, Sarah's fixation on Sonia intensifies, and starts following Sonia around everywhere she goes, even to the salon, after Sonia leaves the salon, Sarah positions herself by the road, waiting for Sonia to see her, In a desperate act, Sarah deliberately runs out in front of a van hoping that Sonia would notice her, Sonia being a nurse, takes care of Sarah, and brings her into Pauline's house, where they develop a friendship, Sarah convinces herself Martin really loves her and he'll leave Sonia to be with her, however, Martin keeps the truth about Sarah hidden from Sonia but Sarah tells his family she is dating a "certain" married man.
Martin attends a quiz night at the Queen Vic, Sarah visits Sonia and they spend the evening together, Sonia reveals to Sarah about how her and Martin got together nearly a year after the death of Sonia's ex boyfriend, Jamie Mitchell, which Martin accidentally caused nearly two years ago, Later on, after learning about Martin's past and his guilt over Jamie's death, Sarah finds Martin, She confronts Martin expressing her understanding of his guilt and consequences it had on his life. Sarah tells Martin that she can't watch him chuck his life away after Jamie's life, saying it's sick, then tells Martin to think about it, Sarah also tells Martin, don't do this for me, do it for yourself. Martin becomes increasingly anxious about the possibility of Sarah disclosing their inmate encounter to Sonia, especially as Sarah grows close to Sonia, while they go shopping together. Later on, Sonia and Sarah return to the Fowler's, for dinner, and Sonia surprises Martin by presenting him with a brand new mobile phone as a gift. The next day, Sonia gets ready to go away to see her friends Jess, she changes her mind at the last minute, and decides to stay at home at in Walford with Martin, later Sarah turns up on Martin's stall, reveals her feelings towards Martin, by telling him that she thinks about him all the time, all day and every single day, Martin politely apologises, and warns Sarah that if she is going to carry on like this, she will be very unhappy due to Martin not being interested in her, as Sarah continues to put pressure on Martin to tell his wife Sonia about her. as Martin refuses to tell his wife Sonia about her, Sarah starts to blackmail Martin, then she walks over to the Fowler's house, Martin chases after Sarah to try and stop her, as she bangs on the door in attempts to tell Sonia about her, then Martin stops Sarah by advising her to lets talk about this, Sarah realises that Sonia is out and she rudely asks Martin where she is, Martin lies and tells Sarah that Sonia has gone to work, then Sarah rudely warns Martin that she'll come back later. Later on in the day, Sarah starts lurking around, and hides behind the bushes in the middle of the square, she spy's on Martin and Sonia from a far watching their every move, as Sarah sits on Arthur's bench, she waits for Sonia to walk past her, when she dose, both Sarah and Sonia start chatting, Sarah suggests to Sonia about grabbing sometimes to eat for a natter, as Martin was working on his stall he panics and sees them both from a far, Martin gets Zoe Slater to cover his stall, as he runs over to them, Martin asks Sonia if she is ok, then she says she find, and tells Martin not to be rude, and also tells him to say hallo to Sarah. Martin invites Sonia out for lunch but Sonia tells Martin that she has already made plans to go out for lunch with Sarah, then Martin suggests that her and Sarah could comeback to the Fowler's house, Sonia has second thought's, and admits that her and Sarah want to have a girly chat, Martin tells them they can still do that, and Sarah tells Martin it's about him. Meanwhile, back at the Fowler's house, both Martin Sonia and Sarah are both having lunch together, Sarah attempts to tell Sonia about her and Martin, but he stops Sarah, by deliberately spilling a jug of water all over Sonia just to try and get her out of the room from Sarah, Martin lies and tells Sonia it was an accident, then Sonia goes up the stairs to get herself cleaned up. Martin confronts Sarah, asking her what she thinks she is doing by attempting to tell Sonia about them, Sarah believed she was doing the right thing, and admits that she can't lie to someone she likes, then tells Martin to do the right thing. Martin promises that I'll tell Sonia about Sarah but only when Martin is on his own with Sonia, and admits to Sarah that he owns Sonia that at least, Martin later suggests that Sonia should go away to see her mate Jess, which at Sonia changes her mind the she decides to go and see her friend Jess after all,
In October 2004, Whilst Martin is working on his stall, Sarah carries on blackmailing Martin, keeping on asking if he has told Sonia yet about their relationship. but Martin tells her no, but Sarah keeps on pressuring him, saying that you said you will tell her. Then Martin tells Sarah that Sonia is going away for a week anyway, Sarah questions how did he agree for her to do that, then Martin explains that Sonia is going on a course for work. Later that evening whilst Martin is down the stairs watching the television, Sarah trespass the Fowler's house, Martin tells Sarah to get out, Sarah tells Martin that he should lock the back door, because you never know who's going to come in. As Martin forgets to lock the back door, Martin threatens Sarah saying if you don't get out, otherwise he will throw her out, Sarah threatens him back saying if you lay a finger on me I'll screen the place down, As Sarah sits on the sofa next to Martin, she tells him that she tried phone earlier but he didn't answer, then Martin tells Sarah that his phone is switched off, Sarah questions how is Sonia going to ring him, Martin answers that Sonia will call him on the landline. Then Sarah threatens that she must take that number, but Martin warns her that she won't, and tells Sarah that she better go now because he is off to bed. A few days later, Sarah plays a treasure hunt on Martin by leaving unwanted gifts for him. Martin confronts Sarah at the park where she has set up a picnic surprise. He questions her about the gifts and she explains that she got the idea from a book. Sarah gives Martin an unwanted ring and suggests putting it in a special box, but rejects the idea, saying their relationship isn't special. They argue, Martin becomes angry, smashing up the picnic. He tells Sarah it's over and warns her to stay away. Martin walks away. Sarah calls Sonia and then she leaves Walford, However, it is later revealed that Sarah went to join Sonia away at her mate Jess's.
Two weeks later, Sarah returns, and lies to The Fowler's by saying that her flat is flooded. Martin confesses to Sarah that he can't sleep or eat and begs her to leave. Later, Sarah lies to Martin, pretending to apologize, and saying she will leave. They share a final kiss. Sarah pretends to say goodbye, but it turns out she had never left and brought the Fowler's dinner instead. Martin's under pressure and he reports Sarah to the police, but they don't take any notice. Sarah admits to Martin's mother, Pauline Fowler, that it's her son Martin who she has been seeing. Pauline sends her packing and tells Sarah to leave. While Martin is out, Pauline falls off a stepladder and Sarah disappears. Martin tracks her down and Sarah admits to pushing Pauline off the ladder. He tells Sarah he will kill her if she ever shows her face again and tells her to stay away from him and his family. Sarah calls the police and Martin is arrested. During this time Sarah goes round to the Fowler's, whilst there, Martin calls Sonia whilst he was still at the police station. but Sarah answers and cuts the phone wire preventing him speaking to Sonia. Sonia asks who's on the phone, and Sarah lies, claiming it's a wrong number. Sarah also lies to Sonia about being mugged the previous night and falsely claims the culprit had been caught. Sonia is worried when Martin doesn't call, but Sarah lies again, saying he is out drinking with Mickey somewhere exciting. They both have tea, Sarah locks the front and back door of the Fowler's as part of her plan to hold Sonia hostage. Sarah reveals to Sonia that she knows about Martin's family history including his father Arthur Fowler going to prison, getting released, and dying after, his brother Mark Fowler have aids, and his sister Michelle Fowler emigrating. Sarah also brings up Martin and Sonia relationship after Jamie's death. Sarah also reveals to Sonia that she also knew from Pauline about Martin's feelings towards his daughter Rebecca Fowler with them both fought about what was going to happen to her. Later Sarah manipulates Sonia, warns her marriage to Martin will end badly, as Sarah knew deep down Martin only married Sonia due to his guilt of accidently killing Jamie, and also Martin sleeping with Sarah. Later Martin returns home and finds both the front and back doors locked. He kicks down the back door to save Sonia from Sarah. Martin apologizes to Sonia, assures it meant nothing, and admits that he didn't mean to lie to her. He declares that Sarah is nothing compared to Sonia. However, Sarah refuses to leave holding a knife in hand. She accused Martin of just being like the others," implying a repeated sexual harassment and also sexual assault by various men whilst working as a barmaid. She believes that Martin is different because he was the one who never touched her up," and she felt safe with him, leading her to believe that their relationship is worth fighting for," This profound her mental instability stemming from past traumatic experiences. Sarah admits that Martin passed out drunk, slept in her bed and didn't have sex with her. Sarah realises that she could never be with Martin so she lashes out with the knife in hand and tries to stab Sonia, but Martin gets in the way and she ends up stabbing him instead. then a fight brakes out, Sonia picks up Pauline's fruit bowl and bashes Sarah over the head with it. She falls unconscious. Jim Branning walks into the house and finds Sarah unconscious and Sonia tells him to phone for an ambulance, then Sarah exited, and she was later committed to a mental institution, both Martin and Sonia start to move and continue with their marriage, putting this behind them.
Kill count[]
Attempted murder victims[]
- Pauline Fowler (15 October 2004) - Pushes Pauline off a ladder in a fit of rage.
- Sonia Fowler (22 October 2004) - Attempts to stab Sonia in a fit of rage after Martin chose Sonia over her but she stabs Martin instead after he gets in the way.
- Martin Fowler (22 October 2004) - Stabs him after he gets in her way whilst she's trying to kill Sonia Fowler.
Employment history[]
| Occupation | Years Active |
|---|---|
| Barmaid (unknown bars) | prior to 2004-2004 |
| Barmaid at Angie's Den | prior to 2004-2004 |
Residence[]
| Address | Years |
|---|---|
| Wimbledon | prior to 2004-2004 |
| 45 Albert Square | 2004 |
| Mental institution | 2004– |
Background information[]
- On 20 July 2007, Sarah was included in an EastEnders Revealed Documentary titled EastEnders Vixens: The Rise and Fall of Stella as one of the bunny boiler characters along with Stella Crawford, Janine Carter, Shirley Carter, Cindy Beale, May Wright and Louise Raymond which told the story of Walford's other bunny boiler characters following the death of Stella Crawford.
- On 29 November 2009, Radio Times included Sarah in their feature profiling 'bunny boilers', stating: "If she was not a regular on her way to being written out, she is a guest who appears, causes havoc, and then vanishes again. [...] Sarah was such a barmaid in Angie's Den who stalked, harassed and then stabbed Martin Fowler when he refused to dump Sonia. Last heard of was an institution".
- On 9 February 2018, the day that Hayley Slater arrived in Walford, her connections to the Slater Family were not immediately revealed but were teased as a brand new mystery for Martin. Duncan Lindsay, writing from the Metro, suggested that Hayley could be acquainted to Martin's former stalker Sarah Cairns. It was reported that Hayley would not be friends with Martin, who would have to "watch his back" through out his custody battle with Stacey, The character was revealed as Stacey's cousin in her third episode.
Quotes[]
- To Martin Fowler about his friend Tariq Larousi (first line; calling Tariq at the pretend stag do at Angie's Den): "Prat!"
- As Sarah lashes out with a knife: "Martin, you have to understand you're the only one I ever wanted, I love you, and I have to do this!"
List of appearances[]
|
2004[]
- 3 September 2004 ⏱
- 6 September 2004
- 7 September 2004
- 13 September 2004
- 20 September 2004
- 21 September 2004 (d)
- 23 September 2004
- 24 September 2004
- 27 September 2004
- 28 September 2004
- 30 September 2004
- 1 October 2004
- 4 October 2004 (d)
- 11 October 2004
- 12 October 2004
- 14 October 2004
- 15 October 2004
- 18 October 2004
- 19 October 2004 (d)
- 21 October 2004 (d)
- 22 October 2004 (d)
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