Stacey’s Dramatic Goodbye

Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) bowed out of EastEnders in emotional scenes this week — but viewers are already convinced she hasn’t gone for good.

The long-running character, who first arrived in Walford in 2004, has been struggling to cope since the death of her ex-husband Martin Fowler. Even after buying The Queen Vic with cousin Kat, she felt Walford only brought painful reminders.

Faced with a fresh start, Stacey decided to take up her brother Sean’s offer of a waitressing job in Brazil. But her farewell was overshadowed by a shocking betrayal: catching Zoe Slater kissing Max Branning, the man she famously had an affair with years ago.

Furious, Stacey confronted them both before storming into The Vic to expose their fling to Kat and the rest of the pub. With tensions boiling, Lily urged her mum to leave, and Stacey ultimately climbed into a taxi with children Hope and Arthur — leaving Jean Slater devastated after just missing her at the station.

No Julia’s Theme — A Big Clue?

For many fans, the way Stacey’s exit was handled raised red flags. Iconic characters usually depart to the sound of “Julia’s Theme,” the softer outro that signifies a permanent goodbye. Stacey, however, left to the regular closing music.

On social media, fans quickly seized on this detail:

• “No Julia’s theme which means this is definitely an extended break.” (@tiffraymonds)

• “She’ll obvs be back but how underwhelming. Not even a Julia’s theme.” (@DVNOXX)

• “It’s reassuring that Stacey didn’t get Julia’s theme or have a proper final scene with Jean. It says to me it’s not a matter of if she will be back just when.” (@slatersfowler)

Fans Left Divided

While many felt relieved that Stacey’s lack of Julia’s Theme suggests Lacey Turner’s exit is only temporary, others branded the scenes disappointing. Some called her farewell “rubbish” and “underwhelming,” with viewers upset she didn’t share a proper goodbye with Jean, one of her closest relationships.

Will Stacey Return?

Soap boss Chris Clenshaw has yet to confirm Stacey’s fate, but given Turner’s history of temporary breaks from the show, fans are confident this isn’t the end. Her final taxi ride may be less about closure and more about setting up her eventual comeback.

For now, Walford will move on without Stacey Slater — but in the eyes of her fans, it’s not goodbye forever.