BBC Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 28 Jan 2026, 09:01 By Carena Crawford 28 Jan 2026, 09:01 Stacey Slater: her love of Branning men, selling her baps online, and EastEnders return How much do you know about Stacey Slater? Lacey Turner Stacey Slater Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 28 Jan 2026, 09:01 By Carena Crawford 28 Jan 2026, 09:01 A racy photo flogging grandma who’s done time for killing someone: Stacey Slater is one of EastEnders’ most iconic and beloved characters. But when did she first set foot in Walford? Why did she marry a woman? And how come she flogged saucy pics online? Keep on scrolling to find out! Lacey Turner plays Stacey Slater in EastEnders (Credit: BBC) Who is Stacey Slater on EastEnders? Stacey Slater is the daughter of Brian and Jean Slater. Her older brother is Sean – who was last seen on the soap in April 2022. Stacey’s journey has not been short of drama during her years in Walford. From her battle with bipolar to shock affairs and murder, Stacey’s been a part of some of the soap’s most memorable storylines. When did Stacey Slater join EastEnders? Stacey first set foot in Walford back on November 1 2004, joining the rest of the already-established Slater clan. Stacey and Kat Slater are cousins on EastEnders. Kat’s dad was Charlie, who died in 2016, and was Stacey’s great-uncle. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Lacey Turner has put in some powerhouse performances as Stacey (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Who plays Stacey Slater? Stacey is played by telly favourite Lacey Turner. She was just 16 when she joined the soap and has played Stacey from 2004 to 2010. And again from 2014 to now. Mental health battles In her early years off-screen, Stacey had cared for her mum, Jean Slater, who had bipolar disorder. In 2009 Stacey was also disgnosed with the disorder. After the death of her best friend Danielle Jones, Stacey started behaving erratically. She stole money from her family, drank heavily and slept with various men. She was given the bipolar diagnosis but didn’t take her medication and ended up with paranoia and hallicinations. After a one-night stand with Ryan Malloy and being raped by Archie Mitchell, Stacey attacked Archie with a broken glass and was committed. Stacey was sectioned again after giving birth to her second child, Arthur Fowler. She knew husband Martin was not Arthur’s real father and started to fear for Arthur’s safety. She was suffering from post-partum psychosis and eventually went to a mother and baby unit to get help. Stacey Slater and Max Branning One of Stacey’s most iconic storylines was her affair with father-in-law Max Branning. Stacey, who was dating – and then went on to marry – Bradley Branning, struck up a romance with Max in 2006. Meanwhile Max, was married to wife Tanya. The pair were at it like rabbits for a few months – until Christmas Day 2007, when their shock affair was exposed to the entire Slater and Branning clan on a DVD played by Lauren Branning. The episode was watched by 14.34 million viewers. What’s more, 17 years later, Stacey ended up sleeping with another Branning member: Jack. Stacey has been to prison on more than one occasion (Credit: BBC) Who killed Archie Mitchell storyline Stacey was sent to prison in 2014 for the murder of bad guy Archie Mitchell. Stacey killed the nasty villain back in 2009 after he had raped her. She hit him over the head with The Queen Vic bust. However she was only exposed as the killer during 2010’s live anniversary episode. Her then-husband Bradley took the blame and fell off the roof of The Vic to his death as Stacey confessed to Max she had killed Archie. Stacey then ended up going on the run to Mexico in 2010. A few years later though, Stacey was back in London, and ended up handing herself in for Archie’s murder in 2014. She was sent to prison for five years but managed to get released early. Unfortunately, Stacey was back behind bars in 2021 when Ruby Allen lied to the police and said she had been pushed down the stairs by Stacey, amid their feud. Stacey was soon back in Walford though, returning a few months later. Mrs and Mrs! (Credit: BBC) Why did Stacey marry a woman? When Stacey rocked back up to Walford in 2021 following her prison stint, she had a surprise in store for her family: she was married. It turned out Stacey had got hitched to Eve Unwin off-screen that year. However, Stacey agreed to marry Eve to secure her release from prison, with Eve now pretty much a member of the Slater can. Eve’s also found love with Suki Panesar. Stacey’s first marriage was to sweetheart Bradley Branning. They actually married twice! She then got hitched to Martin Fowler. Although they divorced Stacey and Martin got engaged for a second time moments before he died after suffering catastrophic injuries in The Queen Vic explosion in February 2025. Lily is Stacey’s eldest child (Credit: BBC) Stacey Slater children Stacey Slater is a mum to three children. Her first child, Lily, was born in June 2010, and she shares Lily with Ryan Malloy. In 2023, Stacey became a grandma when Lily gave birth to her daughter Charli. On December 24, 2015, Stacey welcomed her second child, Arthur Brian Fowler. He is the son of Stacey and Kush Kazemi – who she slept with during a one-night stand. Two years later in 2017, Stacey gave birth to Hope Fowler who is the only biological child Stacy and Martin Fowler have together. Stacey turned to online sex work to pay for her family (Credit: BBC) Online sex work, stalker terror and tragic loss Not afraid to get her hands dirty to earn a living, Stacey has worked a ton of jobs, in a bid to make ends meet. She first worked at the iconic market for a few years, flogging clothes. Stacey’s also been a Queen Vic barmaid, car salesperson, nanny and cleaner. And in April 2023, she turned her hand to selling saucy snaps of herself on the internet. Stacey set up her profile amid her mounting money issues. She later shut down her account after crazed stalker Theo took things too far and tried to rape her. She has subsequently continued her job working at Stacey’s Baps, a food van that sells hot food. Stacey was just getting herself back on an even keel when massive tragedy struck. On the soap’s 40th anniversary, ex-husband Martin died in the catastrophic Vic explosion (thanks Reiss). Poor Stacey struggled in the aftermath, spending some time away from Walford to recover. Stacey had a black cab exit (Credit: BBC) Exit from EastEnders Stacey left the soap last year, following a massive payout from Martin’s life insurance. After helping Kat to purchase The Vic, Stacey began to question her future in Walford when brother Sean offered her a place to stay in Brazil, where he’s now living. While Stacey initially rejected the idea, she changed her mind following the return of her ex, Max Branning. Learning that Max had been sleeping with her cousin, Zoe, Stacey decided to make a fresh start with Sean in Brazil. Will Stacey ever return to EastEnders? While there are currently no plans for Stacey’s return to the soap, the BBC have left room for actress Lacey Turner to come back when she’s ready. In a video shared to YouTube, Lacey even hinted at her plans to return eventually, sharing: “I’ll be back in a minute.” Continuing, Lacey said: “Thank you, everyone. I am coming back, I won’t be long.” She continued: I love you all very much and it’s a very special place to work.” So there you have it! While there are no plans for Lacey’s return to the soap just yet, in her own words, she “won’t be long.” Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Add as a preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 28 Jan 2026, 09:01 By Carena Crawford 28 Jan 2026, 09:01 Previous Story Next Story
