Lacey Turner confirms EastEnders return — ‘won’t be long’ | EastEnders spoilers

Spoiler for the Movie “East Enders: Stacy’s Goodbye”

In East Enders: Stacy’s Goodbye, Walford says farewell to one of its most beloved and battle-worn residents, Stacy Slater. After years of heartbreak, danger, and relentless chaos, Stacy finally makes a decision that shocks everyone — she’s leaving the Square behind and heading to Brazil with her children Arthur and Hope. For the first time in years, she dares to imagine a life filled with peace instead of pain.

Her exit, however, is anything but quiet. Before boarding that plane, Stacy’s fiery spirit flares one last time. A heated confrontation with cousin Zoe and ex-lover Max Branning dredges up old wounds that refuse to heal. Secrets, guilt, and anger collide in an emotional showdown that leaves everyone shaken. Walford watches as Stacy’s cab pulls away — and though her body leaves, her shadow lingers over the Square.

The moment feels final, yet something about it doesn’t sit right. With her daughter Lily and baby Charlie staying behind, Stacy’s departure feels like a chapter paused, not closed. Fans were left questioning whether this was truly goodbye — or just another twist in Stacy’s ever-turbulent story.

Their answer came soon after. In a heartfelt behind-the-scenes farewell video released on YouTube, actress Lacey Turner — who has brought Stacy to life for nearly two decades — confirmed that this isn’t the end. Tearful but smiling, she promised fans, “I am coming back. I won’t be long.” Surrounded by castmates and crew offering flowers and applause, her emotional words sent hope rippling through the fandom. The message was unmistakable: Stacy Slater may be gone for now, but Walford hasn’t seen the last of her.

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The farewell montage that followed reminded viewers of just how much Stacy has endured — and overcome — during her most recent years on the show. Few characters have weathered as many storms. From the shocking revelation of her daughter Lily’s teenage pregnancy to the crushing financial struggles that drove her into online sex work, Stacy’s life has been a relentless test of endurance.

Then came Theo Hawthorne. His obsessive stalking campaign pushed Stacy to her breaking point, terrorizing her family and leaving fans glued to their screens. The storyline revealed the full depth of her trauma — and her resilience. Even at her lowest, Stacy refused to surrender to fear. Her bravery in the face of Theo’s abuse became one of East Enders’ most haunting arcs in recent memory.

And just when peace seemed possible, another storm hit. Stacy found herself drawn into the 2023 Christmas cover-up, the shocking aftermath of Keanu Taylor’s murder. The weight of guilt and secrecy added to years of emotional exhaustion, pushing her closer to the edge.

But nothing compared to the devastation of East Enders’ landmark 40th Anniversary Live Episode, when tragedy struck the heart of Walford. Martin Fowler — Stacy’s long-time love and the man she could never quite let go of — died suddenly inside The Queen Vic, leaving Stacy reeling and the community shattered. The live broadcast captured her raw grief, a performance that had audiences and critics alike hailing Turner’s portrayal as one of the show’s defining moments.

It’s no wonder, then, that Stacy’s decision to leave Walford feels less like abandonment and more like survival. After everything — loss, love, violence, betrayal — she’s earned her moment in the South American sun. Her departure is both an escape and a reset, a chance to rediscover who she is beyond the chaos of Albert Square.

Back home, though, her absence sends ripples through the Slater family. Lily struggles with the weight of young motherhood without her mum’s steadying hand. Baby Charlie’s future feels uncertain. Jean, ever the matriarch, does her best to hold the family together, but even she knows the Slaters are never far from drama. With Stacy gone, the balance is off — and the quiet that follows feels unnatural.

Still, the residents of Walford know better than to believe in peace for long. When Stacy Slater returns — and she will return — there’s little doubt that she’ll bring with her a storm of new stories. Her comebacks have never been simple, and the next one promises to be explosive. Will she return rejuvenated and ready to heal, or will old demons follow her across oceans?

EastEnders' Lacey Turner confirms 'big storyline' as she returns | Soaps |  Metro News

Lacey Turner has hinted that when Stacy steps back into the Square, it will be with new energy and purpose — but also with unfinished business. Her reunion with Lily, her complicated relationship with Martin’s legacy, and the consequences of her involvement in Keanu’s cover-up all loom large. The Slaters may hope for peace, but history suggests that chaos is never far behind.

The beauty of Stacy’s character lies in her contradiction — she’s fierce but fragile, loyal yet flawed, impulsive yet compassionate. She’s fallen, rebuilt herself, and fallen again more times than anyone can count. Her journey mirrors that of Walford itself — messy, unpredictable, but deeply human.

As the taxi disappears into the night and the lights of the Square fade from view, one thing is certain: this isn’t goodbye. It’s a pause — a breath between battles. The world of East Enders may move on, but it won’t forget Stacy Slater.

And when she does return — with the fire of the old Stacy and the wisdom of the new — her story is set to ignite the Square once more. Secrets will resurface, loyalties will be tested, and hearts will break all over again.

East Enders: Stacy’s Goodbye is not just a farewell — it’s the promise of a rebirth. As Walford braces for what’s next, one thing remains undeniable: Stacy Slater’s story is far from over. In fact, her most powerful chapter may be just about to begin.