EastEnders star Lacey Turner is reportedly set to return to the BBC One soap for handful of episodes prior to a full-time return.

Lacey, who is 38, has played the role of Stacey Slater on and off since 2004. The character departed Walford in October 2025, to help her brother Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) with his restaurant in Brazil.

Stacey’s decision to leave came after the returns of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), as well as the death of Martin Fowler (James Bye).

She’s been away for what feels like forever, but that’s all going to change soon enough, as Stacey is allegedly heading back to Albert Square.

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According to a report from The Sun, Lacey will return to the role of Stacey for some episodes that will air around New Years’, and will then be back full-time later in 2027.

Metro has contacted EastEnders for a comment.

Filming the new scenes as Stacey comes at a very busy time for Lacey Turner, as she is currently rehearsing for the first episode of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The 2026 cast features famous faces including Lawrence Robb from Emmerdale, Dani Dyer and Will Best. The new series, which begins this Saturday, will also see Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as presenters.

In other EastEnders news, Rob Kazinsky, who plays Lacey’s on-screen brother Sean Slater, is heading back to the show.

Sean will be sticking around for longer than just a few episodes, with his upcoming returning marking the first time he’ll be permanently settled in Walford in 17 years.

Discussing his exciting return, star Rob said: ‘I left EastEnders in 2008 as a 23-year-old boy and was lucky to spend the next 19 years of my life working around the world, always championing EastEnders and stating the fact that one day I wanted to walk in Sean’s Shoes again, but this time as a man to see who Sean the man might also be. 

‘I wanted to do it for Sean, I wanted to do it for the fans that have supported me in every role since I left the Square but, mostly, I wanted to do it for me. I’m home, and I can’t wait to bring a new level of heartfelt chaos to Albert Square in the way only Sean Slater can.’


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