5th May 2010

VIEW2TV: Lacey joins the leavers list

by Philip Evans

EASTENDERS star Lacey Turner is quitting Walford after five years on the show. She'll be joined by Gillian Wright, who plays her mother Jean Slater.

Lacey revealed: "I've had the most fantastic time at EastEnders. Stacey has been such a brilliant role for me to play, as has being part of the feisty Slater family.” She added: "I'll miss Stacey and everyone in Albert Square very much but the time has come to try something different."

Stacey has had some of the show's meatiest storylines since she joined the soap in 2004, from marrying Bradley (twice), her affair with his dad Max and being diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.

Approximately 16.5million people tuned in to see her revealed as the killer of Archie Mitchell in Febuary this year. New executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "We'll be very sad to see Lacey Turner leave the show. Lacey is one of the best young actresses on TV at the moment and the fact that she's won 28 awards in the last five years is testament to this. We wish her the very best of luck."

Bryan went on to praise Gillian Wright's portrayal of Stacey's mum. "Gillian has brought real heart and pathos to the role of Jean Slater, a complex and fragile character who has really been taken into the public's affection."

No storylines surrounding the pair's departure have been revealed but it's thought that the door is being left open for a return.

The news of their departure follows hot on the heels of the axing of Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi), Charlie Slater (Derek Martin), Danny Mitchell (Liam Bergin), Liz Turner (Kate Williams), Adam Best (David Proud) and Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu).

Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin), Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and Amira Masood (Preeya Kalidas) are also off this year.

Paul Merton and Watchdog’s Matt Allwright have been confirmed as temporary hosts for The One Show after Adrian Chiles left on Friday.

Matt took over the BBC magazine show for a two-week stint on Monday, with Have I Got News For You team captain Paul filling in on the Thursday while Matt hosts Watchdog.

The search for a permanent replacement is still in progress, with new names Rav Wilding and Jamie Theakston being thrown into the hat alongside Chris Hollins and Dermot O’Leary. A source told The Guardian: "It's really got to be someone who works well with Christine. There's no rush."

VIEW2TV: Lacey joins the leavers list

Comments

Add new comment