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EastEnders: Stacey Slater to leave for a year as Lacey Turner takes extended break

Stacey will return to the Square next week – but it won't be for long

EastEnders star Lacey Turner is taking another extended break from the soap, it has been claimed.

The Stacey Slater actress will return to screens next week after a year off for maternity leave.

She is mum to one-year-old daughter Dusty, who was born in July last year.

However, it seems Lacey won’t be sticking around for long.

EastEnders SPOILERS: Stacey makes a return to Walford but will she stay?
Stacey will leave the Square again later this year (Credit: BBC)

The Daily Star Sunday reports how actress Lacey will be taking another year-long break, starting later this year.

A source said: “Lacey will be taking a break. The top bosses agreed to give her some time off from the show.

“This is a great opportunity for the writers to come up with something big for Lacey to get her teeth into.

Read more: EastEnders SPOILERS: Ben freed by police as Callum destroys the CCTV evidence?

“She has always been a big hit with fans. There is no doubt they will really miss her while she’s off screen.”

Lacey will be taking a break. The top bosses agreed to give her some time off from the show.

The newspaper insists that Lacey has no plans to quit the soap for good.

Entertainment Daily has contacted the BBC for comment.

It is the third high-profile exit announced for EastEnders in as many weeks.

Jake Wood’s EastEnders exit

Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt will be taking an extended break, while actor Jake Wood is to leave permanently.

The actor played bad boy Max Branning in Walford and has had his fair share of explosive storylines over the years.

EastEnders stars exit
Jake Wood is leaving the soap (Credit: BBC)

In a statement, Jake said he’s “made some truly great friends” but he’s “excited to see what the next chapter holds”.

Jake said: “I’ve had 15 wonderful years at EastEnders and have made some truly great friends.

“I’ll of course miss everyone there but I’m grateful they have left the door open for Max.

Read more: EastEnders: Tamzin Outhwaite predicts ‘great things’ for Chantelle actress Jessica Plummer

“I’m excited to see what the next chapter holds.”

Executive producer Jon Sen added: “Jake is a truly wonderful actor and EastEnders have been extremely lucky to have him for so long.

“We have a big storyline for Max that starts in the coming weeks and we are all very excited to see that play out.”

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