EastEnders fans think they’ve worked out exactly how Stacey Slater will leave the BBC soap after it was recently announced that Lacey Turner is set to say goodbye to Albert Square

EastEnders Stacey Slater exit plot ‘sealed’ (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders fans fear for Stacey Slater after it was announced Lacey Turner would be leaving the soap. The star, 37, who gave birth to her third child earlier this year, is set to be off-screen in the coming months.

It’s been revealed that Lacey will be off screen in EastEnders later this year to focus on opportunities away from the show. The star has recently been on maternity leave, but has made several appearances for the tragic 40th anniversary episodes, which saw the death of Stacey’s on-off love interest Martin Fowler.

Lacey recently confirmed her exit as she said it was time for “myself and Stacey to take a rest”. Teasing her break from Walford, Lacey said whatever Stacey gets up to “it will never be boring”.

Stacey has been in a bad way ever since Martin died in the Queen Vic, just after asking her to remarry him. EastEnders spoilers for next week reveal her daughter Lily Slater tries to cover up what’s going on despite things taking their toll, but soon Stacey’s loved ones find out.

Viewers will see concern grow for Stacey Slater, amid the news that actress Lacey Turner is taking a break(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Kat Slater then heads to the house, and is left worried by what she uncovers. Trying to take control of the situation, she calls a family meeting, with Kat, Alfie, Suki and Eve planning to help with childcare, as they question whether Stacey needs professional help.

Her behaviour later continues to concern Kat and Lily who fear she’s experiencing a bipolar episode. Now fans think Stacey is going to leave the show to get treatment for her mental health.

Taking to Reddit, one fan penned: “Poor Lily. Guessing this marks the proper start of Stacey’s maternity leave – maybe Stacey checks into a psyche ward to get some help?”

EastEnders spoilers for next week confirm Stacey Slater’s loved ones are deeply concerned(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Another agreed: “Yeah, I’m guessing we won’t see Stacey for another three months after this, guess they needed a way to write her out without making Jean and Lily’s actors losing their jobs for a while.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, another fan said: “I was thinking that the only way Stacey would leave her family and the Square is if she was getting mental health treatment. Maybe this is the beginning of her exit story?”

An EastEnders spokesperson teased a return for the beloved character saying that those behind the show will look forward to “planning [her] return” when Lacey “decides the time is right”.

Lacey Turner first joined the BBC soap as Stacey Slater in 2004, when her character was just 15 years old to live with her great-uncle Charlie Slater and adoptive grandmother Mo Harris after being thrown out by her mother, Jean.