There was heartache for a grieving Lily Slater (Lallia Turner) on Wednesday’s EastEnders as she struggled to cope without her mum Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
The young teen has been missing her stepfather Martin Fowler (James Bye) after he was k.i.l.l.e.d in the aftermath of the explosion that tore through the Queen Vic pub last month.
In the latest episode of the BBC soap, Lily opened up to her friend Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) about her turmoil, admitting she could not believe Stacey had abandoned her in her time of need.
‘How can she just up and leave like that? Like she’s the only one who is hurting,’ she said. ‘It’s not like I’ve lost my dad or anything. Who needs a mum, right?
‘All them lectures when Charli was born about how your kids have to come first…’
Where is Stacey Slater in EastEnders?
Stacey has been heartbroken by the d.e.a.t.h of her ex-husband Martin, having secretly reunited with him and made plans to marry in his final moments.
She has also been keeping this a secret from his partner Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton), who she’d since struggled to plan his funeral with.
With the pressure mounting on her, Stacey’s mum Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) suggested she should go and spend some time with her brother Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) and get away from Walford.
After Stacey reluctantly agreed, Jean then waved her off in a taxi.
Is Lacey Turner on maternity leave from EastEnders?
In real life, actress Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, is on maternity leave from EastEnders, having given birth to her third child back in January.
She and husband Matt Kay, who are also parents to five-year-old daughter Dusty and four-year-old son Trilby, announced they’d named their newborn daughter Gipsy Olive in a post on Instagram.
Around a month after giving birth, Lacey made a temporary return to the EastEnders set to take part in February’s live episode for the 40th anniversary, which featured Martin’s heartbreaking d.e.a.t.h.
When is Stacey Slater returning to EastEnders?
While it is believed Lacey is still on maternity leave, she has filmed extra scenes as Stacey, who will return to Walford in the coming weeks for Martin’s funeral.
Following the live episode, Lacey was pictured on location with several of her castmates filming scenes for Martin’s emotional farewell.
However, it is not currently known what will happen to Stacey beyond this sad event, or how bosses plan to write the character out for the remainder of Lacey’s maternity leave.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
