EASTENDERS fans are fearing the worst as rumours swirl of a massive cast shake-up – with five Albert Square favourites tipped for the chop following Stacey Slater’s shock departure.
Viewers reckon a major clear-out is on the cards, and are convinced the BBC soap is gearing up for a brutal mass cull that could change Walford forever.
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EastEnders legend Lacey Turner has revealed that she is leaving the soap later this year.
The actress, 37, who plays Stacey Slater on the show, 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.
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.”
With Stacey being such a major part in the Slater household, with three kids and one grandchild to feed, fans are expecting more exits on the way.
Taking to Reddit, one fan wrote: “Stacey is a character who is at the forefront of the show and her exit will impact the show in so many ways.
“Firstly, it means that the kids will all likely be axed too and this means that we will probably miss out on some essential character development for them, especially with Lily who only recently began to blossom as a character. I am gutted if she goes too but it looks likely.
“That also means that if Stacey does return, we could see a Lily recast again. Also, it affects the whole Slater family including the likes of Jean.
“What is left for Jean once the Harvey stuff has blown over and her daughter and grandkids have gone?”
Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) has been struggling with the death of her stepdad Martin Fowler (James Bye) and ended up missing his funeral and torching his stall on fire.
But how will she cope with her mum Stacey leaving the Square? What does this mean for her baby Charli and Stacey’s other children Hope and Arthur?
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.
- Mental Health Struggles and Bipolar Diagnosis (2009)
Stacey’s battle with bipolar disorder was one of the soap’s groundbreaking storylines. Her erratic behavior, mood swings, and hallucinations led to her eventual diagnosis, highlighting the challenges of living with mental illness. - Stacey and Max Branning’s Affair (2007)
One of the most explosive storylines in the soap’s history involved Stacey’s affair with her father-in-law, Max Branning. Stacey was married to Max’s son Bradley at the time, and their affair was exposed in dramatic fashion on Christmas Day when a recording of their tryst was played to the entire family. - The Murder of Archie Mitchell (2009)
After a widespread hunt for Archie’s killer EastEnders fans eventually discovered Stacey was responsible for his death. She murdered him on Christmas day after he raped her. When she confessed her crime to Max Branning, the couple got closer. - Postpartum Psychosis (2016)
After the birth of her son Arthur, Stacey suffered from postpartum psychosis. She struggled with delusions and became paranoid, believing that the devil was trying to harm her child. Her breakdown was a pivotal moment that brought her close to her family and helped educate the public about this serious mental health condition. - Stacey’s Imprisonment (2021)
Stacey faced imprisonment after being falsely accused of attacking her one time best friend, Ruby Allen. This plotline saw Stacey having to leave her family behind while she served time. - Lily’s Pregnancy and Becoming a Grandmother (2023)
A recent major storyline saw Stacey grappling with the shock of her 12-year-old daughter Lily becoming pregnant. This brought new challenges and responsibilities for Stacey as she tried to face becoming a grandmother while still dealing with her own struggles.
Meanwhile, Stacey mum’s Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) is engaged to Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman).
However, she is currently unware that he is cheating on her and having an affair with her friend Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth).
Will Jean leave with Stacey when she finds out?
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
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