Lacey Turner's BBC EastEnders exit revealed as Stacey Slater star 'takes break'

Cast member has announced she's taking a break from . It's been revealed that the actor, who plays long-running character Stacey Slater on the soap opera, is set to be off-screen in the coming months.

It's said that Lacey, 37, will be off-screen later this year to focus on opportunities away from the show, which she first joined back in 2004. She's been on maternity leave in recent months and although she has often been absent lately, her character Stacey has still made several appearances, like her having been seen once again in tonight's episode.

Sharing that she will take another break though, Lacey told : "It's time for myself and Stacey to take a rest and who knows what Stacey will get up to in her time away?" She then teased: "Knowing Stacey, it will never be boring."

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A source told the outlet that Lacey made the decision to take "some time out" from EastEnders last year. They added that if "feels a good time" to give Stacey "a rest" as Lacey has had a "busy year" on the soap opera and off-screen.

They however teased that she is expected to reprise her role as Stacey in the future. The source said: "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."

An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that Lacey will be off-screen later this year. They however promised that there is "plenty of more drama" to come before her character Stacey leaves Albert Square once again.

The spokesperson teased that Stacey will return in the future. They said that those behind the show will look forward to "planning [her] return" when Lacey "decides the time is right".

The news comes just months after the BBC show's 40th anniversary celebrations in February. Lacey had a central role in the special occasion and returned from maternity leave for the live episode that aired in the anniversary week.

During the episode, her character Stacey's love interest Martin Fowler - played by - after an explosion at the Queen Vic. His death and the build-up to it at the time.

Several scenes in the episode featured Stacey and Martin together before he died from his injuries - after being crushed by a beam inside the pub - with her by his side. Lacey was for her performance in the episode.

Just weeks prior, Lacey had to her youngest child Gipsy, now three months old, in January. Her family also includes older children Dusty, five, and Trilby, four, whom she also shares with her husband Matt Kay.

Following Martin's death, Stacey was seen struggling to cope with her grief. The character - who had planned a future with Martin in the moments before his death - ended up leaving Walford for a period shortly amid the bereavement.

Stacey later returned for Martin's funeral, which was broadcast in April. She eventually made amends with his partner Ruby Allen (), just as Ruby herself departed Walford, after tensions had grown between them. Lacey's character Stacey has been seen on occasion since then as Albert Square deals with the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion.

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