SLATER UPDATE EastEnders’ Gillian Wright shares update on Lacey Turner’s future on soap after she quit as Stacey Slater
EASTENDERS star Gillian Wright has addressed Lacey Turner’s future on the soap – after the star quit as Stacey Slater.
Gillian, 65, has played Stacey’s mum Jean Slater opposite Lacey for over two decades.
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Earlier this year, The Sun exclusively revealed Lacey would be bowing out of the BBC soap.
She originally played Stacey from 2004 to 2010, before returning from 2014 onwards.
Speaking to Inside Soap, Gillian shared: “Everyone asks if I feel sad, and I don’t – I applaud her for taking a step back and reuniting herself with her family.
“There was a period of eight years where Lacey was on the show without me and vice versa, so we’re used to it, and I think we’re both very good at keeping each other present in our on-screen lives.
“It’s not like the character will be forgotten and I’m sure we’ll see her back at some point. Lacey deserves this, she’s worked really hard.”
Lacey previously 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.”
The Sun previously told how Lacey revealed a huge clue she was set to quit EastEnders.
Lacey Turner reveals she ‘hasn’t stopped crying’ since heartbreaking moment with James Bye after final EastEnders scene
The actress hinted at her exit by 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.
Stacey Slater’s biggest EastEnders storylines
Stacey Slater, played by Lacey Turner, is one of the most iconic characters on EastEnders. Since her introduction in 2004, Stacey has been at the center of some of the soap’s most memorable and gripping storylines. Here’s a rundown of a few.
“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.”
Stacey tragically lost ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye) in the Queen Vic explosion earlier this year.
Meanwhile, she and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) spent weeks hiding from Kat that Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) had resurfaced.
Off-screen, Lacey launched the podcast We Started Here, where she chats to other soap actors.
