EastEnders fan-favourite Lacey Turner tipped for return as Stacey Slater amid Strictly stint

Lacey Turner continues to be one of the hardest-working women in television, if reports are to be believed.

The beloved EastEnders actress is already due to hit our screens this autumn as a contestant on the much-anticipated and revamped Strictly Come Dancing 2026.

However, it is now reported that Turner will be making a return to the BBC One soap as well for a short guest stint as her beloved character Stacey Slater in the coming months.

The Sun's source reports: "She is loved by the fans. So the fact that she’s agreed to return, even if it’s only for a handful of episodes, will come as a huge boost for the loyal viewers."

The tabloid claims that Lacey will be filming the scenes in October and November.

Radio Times has approached the BBC for comment on this story.

The reported timings of filming could even suggest episodes airing around the Christmas and New Year period - which would fit with the climax of Max Branning's big flash-forward storyline...

Fans will recall that Stacey departed Walford last year for a new life in Brazil, working with her brother Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) at his bar.

This came after a difficult year which saw Stacey lose soulmate Martin Fowler (James Bye) in a disastrous explosion in the Queen Vic pub.

Stacey's exit episodes saw her former lover Max Branning (Jake Wood) attempt to romantically reconcile with her, but this came crashing down when his secret liaison with her cousin Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) came to light.

Stacey then left Walford with her youngest children, Arthur (Rocco Brenner) and Hope Fowler (Isabelle Smith), leaving eldest Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) and her baby Charli to be taken care of by Stacey's mother Jean Slater (Gillian Wright).

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At the time, Turner made clear that she was taking a sabbatical from the soap and fully intended to return.

Since then, she has announced her own debut memoir will launch this autumn and made the surprise announcement of her participation in Strictly.

Meanwhile, on the soap, the Slater clan is to be devastated by the untimely death of Zoe before being shaken up further by the full-time return of Stacey's brother, Sean.

So, what brings Sean back and why isn't Stacey with him?

We'll have to wait and see if a full-time return for Stacey is on the cards...

Read more:

• EastEnders' Kellie Bright addresses exit decision as Linda Carter bows out after 13 years - and talks Max romance
• EastEnders icon Michelle Ryan reveals the truth behind Zoe Slater's shock exit: "I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true"
• EastEnders favourite Balvinder Sopal teases Ash return is "grenade" to the Panesar family unit this autumn
• EastEnders announces hard-hitting Amy Mitchell storyline as BBC soap works with charities

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Authors

Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at Radio Times and leads our approach to news, reactive content, and serving audience demands and interests. An obsessive fan of television and film, Lewis is a Nicole Kidman fanatic with a side of passion for science-fiction, art-house cinema and the latest HBO drama. Lewis has a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Film Studies. After working in advertising, Lewis worked at The Mirror for three years in community management and SEO, showbiz, film and television reporting.