EastEnders' Lacey Turner dropped major clue that she was set to quit BBC soap days ago as fans are left devastated

The Sun

13-05-2025

EASTENDERS star Lacey Turner has dropped a huge clue that she was set to quit the BBC soap days ago.
The Sun revealed yesterday that Lacey, who plays Stacey Slater, will be off screens later this year to focus on life and opportunities outside of Walford, but bosses promise that there is lots of drama to come for her character beforehand.
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The star, who first joined the soap 21 years ago, has with hubby Matt Kay, a five-year-old daughter named Dusty Violet, a three-year-old son named Trilby Fox, and a baby daughter named Gipsy Olive, who was born in January, this year.
Speaking to The Sun last week, Lacey said she was becoming more "brave" and "bold" when it comes to her career and other projects.
Speaking about her future on the soap, Lacey hinted at her exit saying: "I think as any working person, you weigh up your options and I do what is best for us really.
"That may change as they change, as they grow. If something doesn't work, then you change it.
"I personally do my best and we do our best and that works.
"I really love my job, I will always do.
"As you get older you get a bit braver and a bit bolder and I'm at an age now where I will do what is right for us."
The mum-of-three also admitted that she currently has her hands full with her two eldest and her newborn.
She said "I love my job and I wouldn't work if I didn't, it works for us.
Lacey Turner reveals embarrassing way her EastEnders co-stars found out she was pregnant
"I'm still a mum even when I'm at work, parenting it doesn't ever end, even when they're at school, you're thinking what they're going to have for dinner, what they've got to do when they get in, it's constant, it doesn't stop being a parent."
It was revealed that Lacey will be leaving the soap but bosses are already planning for her comeback.
Lacey told the Sun: 'It's time for myself and Stacey to take a rest and who knows what Stacey will get up to in her time away? Knowing Stacey, it will never be boring."
A soap insider said: "Lacey made the decision last year to take some time out from the show, she's had a busy year both on and off screen, so it feels a good time to give Stacey a rest.
"Lacey loves EastEnders, and it's no secret how much EastEnders love Lacey, so it's not a question of if she will be back, but when.'
An EastEnders spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year, but there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey's return when Lacey decides the time is right.'
Just weeks after giving birth, she returned from maternity leave to play her part in Martin Fowler's exit scenes in the show's live episode.
And Lacey's character Stacey left fans in tears as she said an emotional goodbye to Martin in February.
In heartbreaking scenes he proposed and planned the next 40 years of their lives before the paramedics told Stacey that he would likely not survive his injuries.
Stacey couldn't bring herself to tell Martin what was happening, but he realised and then tragically died in her arms.
Lacey has become a household name thanks to her long career on Albert Square playing the role of Stacey Slater.
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