Has Lacey Turner left EastEnders for good amid Strictly or is she coming back?

Lacey is best known for her role in EastEnders (Picture:: BBC)

EastEnders star Lacey Turner is swapping the market stalls of Albert Square for the glitz and the glam of the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom as she competes in the new series of the BBC dance competition.

The much-loved star, known for playing Stacey Slater in the Walford-based soap for two decades, was the first celeb announced for this year’s Strictly back in August.

The actress, 38, has featured in some of EastEnders’ biggest storylines and was central to both the 25th and 40th anniversary episodes, which were both filmed live, which means that she’s something of a pro when it comes to performing under pressure on live TV!

Stacey departed Albert Square last October in the wake of Max Branning’s (Jake Wood) comeback – when she found out that he’d been sleeping with Zoe (Michelle Ryan).

Lacey is taking part in Strictly (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire)

Her exit storyline saw her head to Brazil with her kids to join brother Sean, who was opening a restaurant over there. 

But with Lacey now competing on Strictly, is this the last we’ve seen of Stacey or will she be back? Here’s what we know.

Has Lacey Turner left EastEnders for good?

No, Lacey has not left EastEnders for good.

Following her emotional goodbye in October 2025, EastEnders confirmed that she would return to the BBC One soap when the ‘time is right’.

Her departure came after what was a particularly eventful year for her character, with Stacey central to the 40th anniversary plotline which saw Martin Fowler (James Bye) perish after the Queen Vic exploded.

Stacey left the Square in the wake of Martin’s death (Picture: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

According to a report from The Sun from earlier in the month, Lacey will return to the role of Stacey later this year, and then is expected to be back on a more regular basis in 2027.

With the Max Branning flash-forward episode having teased a dramatic start to 2027 in Walford, could Lacey’s return perhaps coincide with the events set to unfold around New Year’s?

Strictly Come Dancing begins Saturday September 19 at 7:25pm on BBC One.

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