EastEnders’ star’s controversial show exit before he was found dead at bottom of cliff
The actor was found dead at the base of Beachy Head in East Sussex following a controversial exit from the BBC soap
The actor was found dead at the bottom of Beachy Head(Image: BBC Studios)
A much loved EastEnders actor was discovered dead at the foot of a cliff in Essex at just 20 following a turbulent exit from the hit BBC soap, leaving heartbroken relatives, friends, and fans in his wake.
Hailed as ‘Britain’s James Dean’ by fans, David Scarboro featured in the inaugural EastEnders episode in February 1985, taking on the part of Mark Fowler, offspring of Pauline and Arthur Fowler.
His time on the programme proved tumultuous, with the Sidcup-born performer allegedly being axed from the BBC production just two months after in April 1985, though he did return briefly to the role in 1986 and 1987.
Tragically, David’s life was cut devastatingly short when his body was found at the bottom of Beachy Head in East Sussex in April 1988, aged just 20.
David originated the character of Mark Fowler, long before Todd Carty took over the part for more than a decade from 1990. David formed part of the programme’s original ensemble, with viewers still recalling his short-lived appearance on the show decades on.
He still remains alive in the hearts of his loved ones and fans(Image: Getty Images)
His sudden departure from EastEnders was quickly followed by personal struggles, culminating in David’s heartbreaking demise.
Early years and stardom
Born on February 3, 1968, in Sidcup, David was a talented young performer who showed promise from an early age. He kicked off his acting journey in 1984 with the BBC drama Good Neighbours, frequently appearing in cameo roles on popular programmes such as Grange Hill.
Yet it was his depiction of Mark Fowler, the eldest son of the Fowler family in EastEnders, that catapulted him into the spotlight at just 17.
His meteoric ascent to fame proved difficult for the EastEnders pin-up to manage, and press attention added to his turbulent personal situation.
EastEnders controversy
The beloved EastEnders heartthrob tragically passed away at just 20 years of age(Image: IMDb)
Soon after joining EastEnders, David allegedly grew uncomfortable with his character’s direction and storyline. The scriptwriters had reportedly come up with a plot where Mark would become racist, with a pivotal scene needing David to hurl racial slurs at fellow character Kelvin Carpenter, played by Paul J Medford.
David strongly rejected this portrayal, eventually refusing to shoot the scene, which supposedly led to his abrupt departure from the BBC soap in April 1985.
His character was hurriedly removed, with Mark Fowler deserting his family one evening without warning – the Fowler household simply woke one morning to discover he’d disappeared into the darkness. Despite making occasional returns to the programme until 1987, David never came back for good.
His final appearance on the celebrated soap was on Christmas Day 1987.
His co-star Paul Medford revealed: “David couldn’t understand why [his character was made a racist], or how he was going to cope with it.
“I didn’t have any of the lines to say. I just had to receive the racist attacks and abuse, and David said he wouldn’t say them – under no circumstances – which I found was one of the warmest things someone had ever done for me.
“He’s actually put his job on the line because he didn’t want to become a racist.”
He has left behind devastated family and fans(Image: Peter Brooker/REX/Shutterstock)
Personal struggles and tragic demise
Aside from the alleged controversy involving him and the series’ creators, David grappled with personal issues, including the constant and intrusive attention. At that time, speculation was rampant that David had been dismissed from the soap, allegedly due to chronic tardiness and an “uncooperative” demeanour on set.
However, he denied these claims and became entangled in a legal battle over false reports about his personal life, intensifying his stress and already fragile mental health. David’s father recalled him “literally crying” to his parents about the concocted stories.
The actor was admitted to a psychiatric ward, but when photos of the institution surfaced in a prominent national newspaper, he escaped due to the heightened scrutiny and invasion of his privacy.
Tragically, on 27 April 1988, David’s body was found at the foot of Beachy Head in East Sussex, his life tragically cut short at only 20.
It was assumed he had taken his own life, however the coroner delivered an ‘open’ verdict at the inquest into his death, leaving several questions surrounding his untimely end unanswered.
David’s death left a devastating impact on his family and admirers.
In 1989, his brother Simon created a moving BBC documentary called My Brother David, which explored his sibling’s existence and the struggles he endured, with his difficulties worsened by constant tabloid persecution throughout his career in the spotlight.
His parents moved away from the UK soon after his death, heartbroken by the loss of their son.
Gone but not forgotten
David made a lasting impression and fans of the star remember him with affection and warmth even all these years later.
A Reddit thread from 2025 witnessed several people sharing their recollections of the actor and honouring him fondly, with the original poster writing: “David Scarboro is one of my favourite actors, he absolutely shined in this role, he left this earth eons before his time and I like to imagine what he’d be doing now.
“I reckon he’d be one of Britain’s big stars by now, both in films and series. He was our James Dean.”
Another admirer of the star commented: “Magnificent actor. heartbreakingly gone too soon and you can only imagine what his portrayal of Mark would have been like over 20 years.”
While one spoke about the tragic end of his life: “Real tragedy what happened to him. RIP.”
