David Scarboro, the original actor to play Mark Fowler on EastEnders, was discovered dead at the base of Beachy Head in East Sussex in April 1988 at just 20 years old. His death followed a controversial exit from the BBC soap opera in 1985, after he refused to film a scene where his character would use racial slurs against another character.
Early Life and Career
Born on February 3, 1968, in Sidcup, Kent, Scarboro began his acting career in 1984 with a role in the BBC drama Good Neighbours and made guest appearances on shows like Grange Hill. He was cast as Mark Fowler, the eldest son of Pauline and Arthur Fowler, in the pilot episode of EastEnders in February 1985, at just 17 years old. His portrayal earned him the nickname 'Britain's James Dean' among fans.
Controversial Exit from EastEnders
Scarboro's time on the soap was short-lived. According to his co-star Paul J Medford, who played Kelvin Carpenter, the writers planned a storyline where Mark Fowler would become racist. A key scene required Scarboro to deliver racial abuse at Medford's character. Scarboro vehemently opposed the plot and refused to film the sequence. Medford recalled: "David couldn't understand why [his character was made a racist], or how he was going to cope with it. He's actually put his job on the line because he didn't want to become a racist."
As a result, Scarboro was reportedly axed from the show in April 1985, just two months after his debut. His character was hastily written out, with Mark Fowler leaving his family overnight without explanation. Scarboro made fleeting returns in 1986 and 1987, with his final appearance on Christmas Day 1987.
Personal Struggles and Legal Disputes
After leaving EastEnders, Scarboro faced intense media scrutiny and personal challenges. Rumors circulated that he had been sacked due to lateness and an uncooperative attitude, which he denied. He became involved in a legal dispute over false reports about his personal life, which exacerbated his stress and mental health issues. His father recalled Scarboro "literally crying" about fabricated stories in the press.
Scarboro was admitted to a psychiatric ward, but when a national newspaper published images of the facility, he fled due to the invasion of privacy.
Tragic Death and Aftermath
On April 27, 1988, Scarboro's body was found at the base of Beachy Head in East Sussex. The coroner delivered an 'open' verdict, leaving questions about the circumstances of his death. It was presumed he had taken his own life.
In 1989, his brother Simon produced a BBC documentary titled My Brother David, exploring Scarboro's life and the harassment he endured from the tabloids. His parents moved from the UK shortly after his death, devastated by the loss.
Legacy and Fan Tributes
Despite his brief career, Scarboro left a lasting impression. A Reddit thread from 2025 featured fans sharing memories, with one user 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 fan commented: "Magnificent actor. Heartbreakingly gone too soon."
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