In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Stacey Slater (played by Lacey Turner) has decided to take a break from Walford following a series of emotional moments with her family in the latest episode of BBC One’s EastEnders. The decision comes after Stacey’s ongoing struggles with the loss of Martin Fowler (James Bye), which has deeply affected her and led to growing tension in her relationships.
The May 22 episode marked a pivotal moment as Stacey, for the first time in weeks, left her house to try and cope with her grief. She invited Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) over for a family meal, attempting to bring some normalcy back into her life. However, Kat soon became concerned, fearing that Stacey might be rushing things in her emotional recovery.
During the dinner, Stacey’s attempt to create a happy atmosphere was interrupted when she discovered that her coat and mobile phone had accidentally been placed in the laundry bag by Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier). Panicking, Stacey explained the importance of the phone, which contained irreplaceable voicemails, photos, and texts from Martin. In a desperate attempt to retrieve the phone before it was damaged in the wash, Stacey raced to the laundrette.
Meanwhile, Alfie was left unsettled when young Arthur revealed he had overheard voice notes from Martin’s phone, leading him to believe Stacey still holds on to the idea that Martin is alive. At the laundrette, Stacey was met by Kat and Lily, who were worried that her actions might indicate she was experiencing a bipolar episode. Stacey, however, denied this, insisting that she knew the signs and was in control of her emotions.
The situation reached a boiling point when Alfie shared Arthur’s revelation, sparking a fierce argument between Stacey and her daughter Lily. Their confrontation led to a fracture in their relationship, with Lily ultimately deciding to move in with her father, Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), believing it would be better for her baby daughter, Charli.
In the wake of the family turmoil, Stacey made a bold decision about her future, revealing that she would be staying with her mother, Lynne Slater (Elaine Lordan), in an effort to regroup and find solace away from the chaos of Walford. This emotional development marks a significant chapter in Stacey’s journey as she navigates the complexities of grief, family, and self-care.
