EASTENDERS fans have spotted a huge ‘clue’ that another star is set to leave the show – after Stacey Slater exit was confirmed.
Soap legend Lacey Turner, 37, who plays Stacey on the show, is leaving the BBC show later this year.
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The actress will be off screens to focus on life and opportunities outside of Walford, but bosses have promised that there is lots of drama to come for her character beforehand.
The star, who first joined the soap 21 years ago, has with hubby Matt Kay, a 5-year-old daughter named Dusty Violet, a 3-year-old son named Trilby Fox, and a baby daughter named Gipsy Olive, who was born in January, this year.
Lacey 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 soap insider said: “Lacey made the decision last year to take some time out from the show, she’s had a busy year both on and off screen, so it feels a good time to give Stacey a rest.
“Lacey loves EastEnders, and it’s no secret how much EastEnders love Lacey, so it’s not a question of if she will be back, but when.”
But, now fans of the soap are worried that another huge character is also set to leave the square.
Earlier this year, viewers were left heart broken as they watched Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) go through a traumatic and heart-breaking depression.
More recently, Phil was left feeling betrayed when Sharon (Letitia Dean) confessed to her affair with Grant (Ross Kemp).
And fans are now worried that the much loved actor is leaving the soap too or at least taking a break.
A viewer on Reddit has posted a poster of Steve that advertises his role in an upcoming pantomime Aladdin.
Lacey Turner reveals she ‘hasn’t stopped crying’ since heartbreaking moment with James Bye after final EastEnders scene
They captioned the image: “What does this mean for Phil in EastEnders this year?”
Fans of the show were quick to respond and one said: “I reckon Nigel probably dies around Christmas time.
“And Phil leaves shortly after to spend time with Louise in Portugal or something and is back in February like what usually happens most years.”
Another added: “Nigel dies at Christmas and Phil leaves to find Nigel’s family and tell them.”
EastEnders stars who QUIT
MICHELLE Collins has seen her second EastEnders stint boost her bank balance. Yet what stars have quit this year?
The Sun exclusively reported how Michelle, 62, was down to £20,000 in her company accounts when she agreed to a shock back-from-the-dead return to Albert Square last year.
Her character, Cindy Beale, was presumed dead off-camera in 1998.
Yet what about the 2024 exits?
Earlier this summer, loyal soap fans appeared to note how Stevie Mitchell had “quit” the long-running series.
It came after Alan Ford enjoyed just six-months on-screen.
Bobby Beale actor Clay Milner Russell also left this year after five years in Walford.
Fans also feared Martin Fowler actor James Bye would “quit out of boredom” over recent storylines.
Additionally, a host of stars have quit the BBC soap for Hollywood fame.
One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.
He played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.
Ben Hardy, who quit EastEnders as Bobby Beale almost a decade ago, went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay’s Netflix movie 6 Underground.
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater until 2005.
She starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.
“EastEnders is known for being very restrictive with what actors can do in their spare time.
“I remember Shona McGarty saying part of her decision to leave was to explore new opportunities she couldn’t do whilst on the show, such as her singing career, stage shows, content that’s perhaps quite not safe for prewatershed viewing etc,” explained a third.
While another thought Phil might be going to see Ben and said: “He could be going to Portugal or at least a trip in America to see Ben with Callum and Lexi if they are going there too.”
“Means nothing, Steve McFadden does panto every year. Phil will be off screen for about a couple months and back around the new year probably,” stated a fifth EastEnders fan.
Meanwhile, soap viewers are fearing the worst as rumours swirl of a massive cast shake-up – with five Albert Square favourites tipped for the chop following Stacey Slater’s shock departure.
Viewers reckon a major clear-out is on the cards, and are convinced the BBC soap is gearing up for a brutal mass cull that could change Walford forever.
