The actress gave an insight into what her time away from the show will hold

EASTENDERS legend Lacey Turner is leaving the BBC1 soap later this year, but bosses are already looking forward to planning her return…

The actress, 37, who plays Stacey Slater on the show, will be off screens later this year to focus on life and opportunities outside of Walford, but bosses promise that there is lots of drama to come for her character beforehand.

Stacey Slater from EastEnders in a black coat.

EastEnders legend Lacey Turner is leaving the BBC1 soap later this year, but bosses are already looking forward to planning her returnCredit: BBC

Louisa Lytton and Lacey Turner, actresses from Eastenders, posing by an Albert Square street sign.

Stacey will be off our screens later this yearCredit: Alamy

Lacey Turner at the Inside Soap Awards.

Lacey’s character Stacey left fans in tears as she said an emotional goodbye to Martin in FebruaryCredit: Getty

A crying woman begs a man not to leave.

Lacey has become a household name thanks to her long career on Albert Square playing the role of Stacey SlaterCredit: Handout
The star, who first joined the soap 21 years ago, has with documentary maker 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.”

An EastEnders spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year, but there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey’s return when Lacey decides the time is right.”

Just weeks after giving birth, she returned from maternity leave to play her part in Martin Fowler’s exit scenes in the show’s live episode.

And Lacey’s character Stacey left fans in tears as she said an emotional goodbye to Martin in February.

In heartbreaking scenes he proposed and planned the next 40 years of their lives before the paramedics told Stacey that he would likely not survive his injuries.

Stacey couldn’t bring herself to tell Martin what was happening, but he realised and then tragically died in her arms.

Watch the moment EastEnders’ Lacey Turner ‘saves’ James Bye during live episode after Martin Fowler star hints he forgot lines
Lacey has become a household name thanks to her long career on Albert Square playing the role of Stacey Slater.

Away from the drama of Eastenders, she enjoys quiet domesticity with her husband Matt Kay and their kids.

Her departure comes as the star recently opened up on motherhood and its challenges.

She said: “The world today leads you to believe that the most expensive option is the best option, but that’s not the case.

“I want people to know that being frugal is nothing to be ashamed of, it’s a skill.