Lacey Turner ‘returning to EastEnders for short stint’

Lacey Turner is reportedly reprising her role as Stacey Slater on EastEnders for a short stint later this year.

The character – a regular on the soap for more than two decades – was last seen leaving the Square in October 2025 to move to Brazil and live with her brother Sean (Rob Kazinsky).

Last month it emerged that Kazinsky is reprising his role as Sean and now The Sun claims that Turner will be joining him for “a few episodes”, which will be filmed in October and November.

News of Turner’s comeback arrives as she prepares to compete on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing – and amid a torrid time for exec producer Ben Wadey, who is facing fierce criticism over the direction of the show and the exodus of a string of top stars.

“Lacey has created one of the soap’s most iconic characters in Stacey Slater,” a source told the newspaper. “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.

“Lacey is returning for a few episodes to turn the tide. This is not a permanent return.”

Given the suggested filming dates, Stacey’s comeback episodes are likely to air over the Christmas and New Year period.