EastEnders legend Lacey Turner has shared a sweet update on Instagram

EastEnders star Lacey Turner has shared an emotional life update just months after her soap exit. The 37-year-old actress is best known for playing Stacey Slater on the hit BBCdrama.

Lacey made her debut in Walford back in 2004, playing Stacey up until 2010. She later returned in 2014, before temporarily departing again last year. The star has taken an “extended break” from the Square to focus on her family, including her three young children, and other projects.

Over the years, Stacey has been involved in several memorable storylines, including her affair with Max Branning (Jake Wood), her bipolar diagnosis and postpartum psychosis, her role in Archie Mitchell’s (Larry Lamb) murder, and being stalked by Theo Hawthorne (William Ellis).

As she continues her break from the soap, Lacey has celebrated a special occasion as her youngest daughter, Gipsy, has just turned one. She is also mum to her six-year-old daughter Dusty and four-year-old son Trilby, whom she shares with her husband Matt Kay.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday (January 13), Lacey shared a heartwarming Reel of photos of her daughter, accompanied by Fleetwood Mac’s 1982 hit Gypsy.

The caption read: “This is ONE!! A whole year of you baby! Today and everyday we celebrate you!!! (and your funny face). Love you forever and ever.”

Several of Lacey’s EastEnders co-stars shared their best wishes in the comments section, with Suki Panesar actress Balvinder Sopal writing: “Happy Birthday Gypsy. Hope life is treating you well, Lacey.”

Natalie Cassidy, who is best known for playing Sonia Fowler on the soap, added: “How is that a year ago! Happy birthday gorgeous one,” alongside a heart emoji, while Kat Slater star Jessie Wallace wrote: “Happy birthday darling Gypsy.”

Soap fans also shared their support, with one person commenting: “Happy 1st Birthday beautiful princess.” Another added: “Looks like her mummy. You make beautiful babies.”

A third said: “Aww isn’t she adorable. Beautiful! Happy first birthday,” with another similarly sharing: “Can’t believe how quickly the children have grown. Gorgeous!!!”

Lacey’s husband, Matt, shared his own Reel to mark their daughter’s birthday. He wrote: “Gipsy… you stole my heart a year ago today and it’s never been the same since. Where has this year gone? Seriously! Happy birthday my darling angel I love you so so much.”

While Stacey is currently taking some time away from Albert Square, actor Lacey has reassured viewers that she won’t be gone for long. In a sweet goodbye video on YouTubelast year, the mother-of-three could be seen given well wishes from the cast and crew on her final day on set, before reassuring them: “I will be back in a minute.”

She added: “Thank you, everyone. I am coming back, I won’t be long. I can’t do speeches but thank you. I love you all very much and it’s a very special place to work.”