EastEnders fans praise Lacey Turner for 'performance of her life'

Just five weeks after giving birth

Author: Alex RossPublished 21st Feb 2025
Last updated 21st Feb 2025

The 40th anniversary week on BBC soap EastEnders reached a dramatic conclusion last night (Thursday 20th February), as the cast of the soap gave a flawless performance during the live episode, where viewers were given the chance to vote for two outcomes.

Whilst a number of storylines were given closure, including Denise's love triangle, Sonia's pregnancy, Phil's turmoil, and the murder of Reiss' wife, one storyline in particular left fans of the hit soap in floods of tears.

As fans will know, The Queen Vic went up in flames as an explosion ripped through the entire pub, leaving characters such as Sonia, Lauren, Bianca, Sharon and Stacey all trapped inside. But during the episode on Wednesday (19th Feb), it was James Bye's character Martin Fowler who returned to The Vic in order to save his ex-wife Stacey.

After being left on a cliffhanger when a metal beam fell onto Martin, leaving him trapped, the storyline picked up during Thursday's live episode, where Martin and Stacey confessed their true feelings for each other as the emergency services attempted to save his life and get him out of the rubble.

Both Stacey and Martin (played by Lacey Turner and James Bye) respectively, gave the performance of their lives during the live episode, as Martin ended up having a fatal cardiac arrest as he was released from the wreckage.

After watching the episode, emotional fans took to social media to express both their sadness and admiration for the cast, with 36-year-old Lacey Turner being singled out by the masses for her iconic performance, just five weeks after giving birth to her third child, Gipsy Olive Kay.

One wrote: 'So you’re telling me Lacey Turner filmed a stunt heavily pregnant, gave birth, came back a few weeks later and carried a live episode? Where’s this woman’s pride of Britain award? Get her a knighthood pronto! #EastEnders #EELive'. (sic)

Another said: 'There is nobody like Lacey Turner. The way she manages to make you FEEL everything she's going through is insane talent. Two live episodes 15 years apart and she smashed them both. I'm in turmoil'. (sic)

A third wrote: 'Can we all just take a minute to appreciate that Lacey Turner just did that live episode at like one month postpartum?! #EELive #Eastenders', with another saying: 'That was some KIT day for Lacey Turner wasn't it, turning up 4 weeks PP, and gives the performance of her life.. 👏'. (sic)

Another impressed fan gushed: 'Lacey Turner is the definition of ‘master of your craft’. Central in two live eps, despite one being when she was ill & one being a month after she’d given birth!! Her talent is off the charts - definitely one of the best actors soap has ever had! What a woman 👏❤️'. (sic)

Stacey's husband Matt Kay also expressed his pride for his wife. Sharing a lovely message to his Instagram Story, he wrote: 'I am absolutely bursting with pride for my wife and the incredible job she did at work this evening. Her dedication and hard work shone through as she tackled an extremely tough challenge with grace and determination, especially considering she only just gave birth five weeks ago. I mean come on!

'Watching her collaborate with her co workers and ultimately achieve her goals was nothing short of inspiring She consistently goes above and beyond, and her passion for what she does is evident in every project she undertakes. ! am so grateful to have such an amazing partner by my side and I can't help but admire her strength and resilience. She truly is incredible!' (sic)

Lacey first joined the cast of EastEnders way back in 2004, playing the role of Stacey until 2010, where she appeared in the show's live episode for the 25th Anniversary. As fans will remember, Lacey's character had a huge part to play in the episode, after her on-screen husband Bradley Branning die from a rooftop fall.

Despite bosses wanting her to remain on the show, Lacey made the decision to leave just months after the live episode, with her final scenes airing in December 2010.

It didn't take long for Lacey to return to Albert Square however, with the actress re-joining the cast in 2014.

Since that moment, Lacey has been a cast regular, being involved in some major storylines over the last 11 years, picking up a number of nominations and awards in the process.

For the soap's 40th birthday earlier in the week, Lacey wrote on social media: 'Happy 40th birthday to the programme that changed my life ! What an honour to have spent all these years watching icons work and stories change lives ! This show has made 40 years because of so many people in so many departments do there jobs like no one else can ! Thank you to everyone in front of the tele and behind the tele ! Here’s to another 40 ❤️'. (sic)

Now check out which soap stars have switched soaps:

Gemma Atkinson

Before leaving the world of soap for radio, Gemma Atkinson played the role Lisa Hunter on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks between 2001 and 2005.

The actress then joined Emmerdale in 2015, playing the character Carly Hope.

Gemma then made a return to Hollyoaks as Lisa Hunter in 2022.

David Neilson

You'll recognise David Neilson as popular Coronation Street character Roy Cropper! But before David joined the Cobbles, the actor appeared on EastEnders in the early 1990s!

Sue Nicholls

Coronation Street legend Sue Nicholls (or Audrey Roberts as you may know her), has been on the ITV soap since 1979, but the actress also played a part on Crossroads between 1964–68.

Ross Kemp

Before playing the role of the infamous Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, hard-man Ross Kemp played Graham Lodsworth in Emmerdale for 22 episodes!

Ray Quinn

When Ray Quinn joined the cast of Hollyoaks in 2018, many thought it was his first acting role, with a lot of people only knowing him for his stint on The X Factor.

However, Ray was actually a child actor way before his singing career, playing the role of Anthony Murray in Brookside between 2000-2003.

Catherine Tyldesley

Back in 2010, Catherine Tyldesley played the role of Abi Peterson in Emmerdale. Her stint on the show didn't last long, with the actress going on to land the role of Eva Price in Coronation Street, a role she played for seven years.

Jamie Lomas

Jamie Lomas was known as Hollyoaks bad boy Warren Fox on and off between 2006 and 2018. Between this role, Jamie joined the cast of EastEnders as Jake Stone... Before making a return to Hollyoaks again in 2019.

We can't keep up!

Danniella Westbrook

Danniella Westbrook first found fame when she was cast as Samantha Mitchell in EastEnders in the 90s. Due to personal struggles and addictions, Danniella was axed from the role, before returning for four episodes in 2016.

The actress later joined the cast of Hollyoaks, playing Trudy Ryan in 2013... Until she was axed not long after.

Nikki Sanderson

Nikki Sanderson joined the cast of Coronation Street in 1999, playing the role of Candice Stowe for 397 episodes. In 2012, Nikki joined Hollyoaks, where she's been known as Maxine Minniver for over 400 episodes.

Alex Fletcher

She's known as Diane O'Connor in Hollyoaks right now, but before joining the soap in 2010, Alex actually appeared on Brookside between 1990 and 2003.

Michelle Collins

If you're a fan of BBC soap EastEnders, you'll remember Michelle Collins bursting onto the scene as Cindy Beale in 1988.
After her character was killed off in 1998, Michelle went on to join Coronation Street, playing the role of Stella Price for 447 episodes.
She's now back on the Square, reprising her role as Cindy Beale (or should we say Rose Knight), after her character's death was written in to the soap as staged.

Chris Fountain

Before Chris Fountain released an offensive rap video online, he was best known as playing the role of Justin Burton in Hollyoaks.

Two years after leaving the Oaks, Justin landed a role on Coronation Street as Tommy Duckworth, but he was sacked in 2013 for 'that' video.

Adele Silva

You'll probably recognise Adele for portraying the role of Kelly Windsor in Emmerdale between 1993-2000, but the actress later joined Hollyoaks as Angela Brown in 2015.

Gemma BIssex

Gemma Bissex has made a career out of playing the 'villain' character in soaps. After making her soap debut in 1993 as Clare Bates in EastEnders, Gemma went on to join the cast of Hollyoaks, playing the equally as evil character Clare Devine.

Adam Rickett

Adam's Coronation Street character Nick Tilsley was adored by fans between 1997 to 1999, and again between 2002 to 2004.

After going on to try out a pop career, Adam returned to the world of soap in 2017, joining the cast of Hollyoaks as Kyle Kelly. However, in 2020 his character was killed off by bosses.

Claire King

Actress Claire King was loved by Emmerdale fans between 1989–1999, as she played the role of the infamous Kim Tate. Before making her return to the soap in 2018, Claire had a small role in Hollyoaks in 2005.

As if this wasn't enough, Claire played the role of Erica Holroyd in Coronation Street from 2014 until 2017.

Anthony Quinlan

Before joining Emmerdale in 2013 as character Pete Barton, Anthony Quinlan was one of the most popular Hollyoaks character with fans, playing the role of Gilly Roach between 2005-2011.

Angela Griffin

Angela made her soap debut playing the role of Fiona Middleton in Coronation Street in 1992. The actress then joined Emmerdale as Tina in 1993, but she only lasted two episodes.

Gillian Taylforth

Popular actress Gillian Taylforth joined the cast of EastEnders way back in 1985 as Ian Beale's mum Kathy Beale. However, Gillian's character was killed off in a tragic car accident in 2006.

Gillian then joined Hollyoaks in 2013 playing mum-of-five Sandy Roscoe. But here is the confusing bit... EastEnders fans were left shocked to the core in 2015 when she made a return to the soap as Kathy Beale!

That's the world of soaps for you!

Sherrie Hewson

Sherrie Hewson first started her soap career on Coronation Street way back in 1993, playing the role of Maureen Webster. The actress then joined Crossroads as Virginia Raven in 2001, before going on to Lesley Meredith in Emmerdale in 2004.

Gaynor Faye

Gaynor Faye has been lucky enough to land two major roles in two major soaps! Before joining the cast of Emmerdale as Megan Macey in 2012, Gaynor was best know for playing Judy Mallett in Coronation Street.

James Sutton

James Sutton appeared on and off in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks as John Paul McQueen for nearly 500 episodes, before he jumped ship and landed the role of Ryan Lamb in Emmerdale in 2009.

James still makes a number of appearances in Hollyoaks, with the McQueen family still very popular with fans.

Sheree Murphy

Not only did Sheree land roles in both Emmerdale (Tricia Dingle) and Hollyoaks (Eva Strong), the actress has also appeared in Australian soap Neighbours as Dakota Davies.

Lucy-Jo Hudson

Lucy-Jo's character Katy Harris was very popular with Coronation Street fans between 2002-2005. However, her character was tragically killed of in a suicide storyline in 2005.

In 2018, Lucy-Jo returned to the world of soaps, joining the cast of Hollyoaks as Donna-Marie Quinn.

Chris Bisson

You'll recognise Chris Bisson as Jai Sharma in Emmerdale, but the actor played the role of Vikram Desai in Coronation Street between 1999–2002.

Hayley Tamaddon

As well as playing the role of Del Dingle in Emmerdale, Hayley also starred in Coronation Street, portraying the character Andrea Beckett.

John Middleton

He's best known for his role as vicar Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale (between 1996 to 2017), but actor John actually appeared in Coronation Street as John Hargreaves in 1993.

Kirsty-Leigh Porter

She's played the role of Leela Lomax in Hollyoaks since 2013, but Kirsty-Leigh has also appeared in both Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

She played the role of Zoe Willson in Coronation Street and Roz Fielding in Emmerdale.

Katie McGlynn

Katie played the role of Sinead Tinker in Coronation Street for six years between 2013-2019, but after leaving the soap, the actress joined Hollyoaks in July 2021 as Becky.

Natalie Anderson

Natalie was best known for her role as Alicia Metcalfe in Emmerdale between 2010-2015.

After a six-year gap from the world of soaps, Natalie joined the cast of Hollyoaks in 2021, playing the role of Lexi.

Stephanie Davis

Stephanie Davis appeared as Sinead O'Connor between 2010-2015 in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, before returning in 2019 for another year.

After leaving the soap and taking some time out of showbiz, it was announced in May 2023 that Stephanie had landed a role in Coronation Street, as character Courtney Vance.

Paula Lane

Paula played the role of Kylie Platt on Corrie from 2010 to 2016, with her character Kylie leaving the show in a dramatic exit storyline after being murdered by Clayton Hibbs.

In November 2023, it was announced that Paula would be joining Emmerdale, taking on the role of Ella Forster.

Rita Simons

Rita Simons played the iconic role of Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders between 2007-2017, before returning to the soap in both 2019 and 2023.

In 2024, it was announced that Rita had landed the role of Marie Fielding in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

Gemma Merna

Actress Gemma Merna played the iconic role of Carmel McQueen in Hollyoaks between 2006 to 2014, with her character killed off in an explosive train accident in November 2014.

Fast-forward 10 years and Gemma has revealed she's landed her 'dream job' on Coronation Street. Sharing this photo of herself outside the Rovers Return Inn, Gemma told fans on Instagram: 'I've been keeping a little secret 🤭I am thrilled to announce that I've landed my dream job on @coronationstreet ! 🤩 Can you believe it?! I've wanted to be on Coronation Street since I was a little girl. Being born and bred in Manchester, it's truly a dream come true for me'. (sic)

Jacob Roberts

Former Hollyoaks actor Jacob Roberts, who played the role of Damon Kinsella in the Channel 4 soap between 2017-2023, joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2024. Jacob was cast as the secret son of Bernie Winter.

Oliver Farnworth

Oliver Farnworth appeared in Hollyoaks playing the role of Will Hackett from September 2006 to May 2007, before he joined the cast of Corrie as Andy Carver in 2014. After leaving the cobbles in 2017, it was announced in July 2024 that Oliver would be joining the cast of Emmerdale, playing the role of John Sugden.

Jessica Ellis

Actress Jessica Ellis played the role of Tegan Lomax in Hollyoaks between 2013 and 2018, and in 2025 it was announced she'd be joining the cast of Coronation Street in a guest capacity.

Now read:

EastEnders viewers in shock and tears as beloved character dies during live episode

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