Martin wasn't planned actually, it was a great shock! Pauline and Arthur already had teenage children and she was in the 40s ! I think Gary and his wife (Elaine Lauden's character) were given a storyline where they were trying hard for a baby.
Not sure about this but I dont think Martin was planned as I vaguely remember Pauline finding out she was pregnant in the first episode and it being a surprise. If so they started the way they meant to go on. Not sure about this so feel free to contradict.
Yes Dot, they did try for a baby and she did get pregnant, she lost it when the 'Albert Square Fair' collapsed on her and half of the other residents, thats why she left Gary.
Sorry Emma J I scanned your reply and my dozy old eyes missed the Gary and Lyn bit! I think the asian couple that were on in the 1980s also planned a baby, she eventually left him. My brain is hurting thinking about it , or that could be the brandy from last night! Morning Peri.
Forgot about Lynn and Garys baby. Martin Fowler def not planned, like Peri says that goes back to the first episode. Courtney wasn't planned - could have been Grants or someone elses as I recall. Just seems strange to me how many unplanned babies there are in soaps, and what kind of message this gives the 'youth of today'!
And Puzzled54 is so right about it not looking good to the youth of today, god now I feel really old and i'm not, I can't think of any other babies in soapes that were planned either!
Maybe Rosie and Sophie Webster (coronation street), but I don't know.
Nothing is planned in Eastenders - it's made up as it goes along with the basic theme of being miserable,everyone SHAHTING at each other or talking in a whisper.