‘STACEY WANTS REVENGE!'

Lacey Tu rner on being back in Albert Square and life a s a working mum of-two

- ALISON SLADE

There are celebrations for the Slaters this week as Stacey is reunited with her family after a six-month stint in the slammer. The feisty mum was memorably sent down in the spring after former best mate Ruby Allen lied to the police that she had pushed her down the stairs.

In real life, Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, was on maternity leave after giving birth to her and husband Matt Kay’s second child; a son called Trilby, who is a baby brother for the couple’s two-year-old daughter, Dusty.

At home with her little ones, Lacey, 33, took a break from changing nappies to talk to TV Times about motherhood and the next chapter for her alter ego…

Congratulations on the births of both your children. How are you finding motherhood?

It’s lovely, but it is hard at times. As anyone who’s had kids knows, sleep deprivation is the hardest bit. But I’m so lucky to have two, and to have one of each.

Having spent most of this year being a full-time mum, did it feel daunting to get back on set?

I’ve been doing EastEnders for so long [Lacey joined the cast back in 2004] and it is literally like a family, so you just slot back in. And what’s really lovely for me is that I don’t live far from the studio, so I am home a lot – I’m always there for bathtime and bedtime, and I don’t seem to miss much.

It’s actually quite a nice rest going to work! I get to drink my coffee while it’s still hot, which is the biggest bonus ever!