The actress, who plays much loved character Stacey Slater on Albert Square, says it is time for herself and Stacey to take a rest following the birth of her third child
EastEnders star Lacey Turner is due to leave the BBC soap later this year.
The actress, who plays Stacey Slater, has confirmed the news after speculation, although it is not a permanent exit.
According to reports, bosses are planning an explosive storyline for Stacey, which will facilitate Lacey’s break from the show.
The soap star 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 spokesperson for BBC added that there is plenty of drama on the way for Stacey ahead of her exit from Albert Square, and that the door is open for her return whenever she chooses.
A statement 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.”
It is believed that Lacey is leaving EastEnders to focus on her young family.
Back in January, she welcomed baby girl Gipsy with husband Matt Kay.
The couple are also parents to five-year-old daughter Dusty and three-year-old son Trilby.
Lacey was praised by audiences earlier this year when she returned to work weeks after giving birth to film a highly emotional live episode for EastEnders’ 40th anniversary.
The special live episode saw Stacey say a heartbreaking goodbye to her one true love Martin Fowler, who died from health complications after an explosion at The Vic.
It was especially poignant as moments before his death, Martin and Stacey planned to reunite and get married again.
Fans were heartbroken for Stacey, who lost her first husband Bradley Branning in the live episode for the soap’s 25th anniversary back in 2010.
Lacey has been a fan favourite on EastEnders for over 21 years now, having made her debut as Stacey back in 2004.
She left in 2010 and returned four years later in 2014. Since then, the BBC star has taken additional breaks to welcome her children.
