EastEnders star Lacey Turner set to join Strictly for new series after taking extended break from the soap
EASTENDERS star Lacey Turner is in the process of joining the next series of Strictly.
The actress, 38, who has played Stacey Slater on the BBC soap for 22 years, is on an extended break from Albert Square.
She has been spending time away from Walford with her three children, Dusty Violet, six, Trilby Fox, four, and Gipsy Olive, one.
A TV source said: “Strictly bosses are delighted to snap Lacey up for the series, especially as she has such a huge fan base from her time on the soap.
“She’s down to earth and viewers will be excited to get to know her personality away from Albert Square.
“She has loved having some quality time off screen to focus on parenting, but feels like now is the perfect time to learn to dance and try something different before she reprises her role in EastEnders.”
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Lacey, who also starred in BBC drama Our Girl, previously turned down the ballroom series.
She said in 2017: “I have been asked to go on Strictly but I’m rubbish at dancing and I don’t really have the guts.
“I think it’s a great show to do, though, as you learn a new skill.”
Lacey, who is married to documentary maker Matt Kay, will be one of the many EastEnders stars who have taken part in the dance competition, including Rose Ayling-Ellis.
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Jamie Borthwick, who was Jay Brown on EastEnders for 19 years, was axed from the soap last year after he was filmed on the Strictly set using a disability slur.