Lacey Turner, the acclaimed actress renowned for her role as Stacey Slater in , has been enthralling viewers with her emotive performances since she first appeared on the soap in 2004.
Her character, Stacey, has recently been embroiled in riveting plotlines, encompassing her trials as a single mum, financial difficulties, and a contentious relationship with her friend Theo that took a sinister twist when he was unmasked as her stalker.
While Lacey’s screen persona is steeped in drama, her off-screen existence presents a strikingly different picture.
Away from the tumult of Albert Square, Lacey leads a more grounded, family-centric life. Let’s delve into what her world looks like when the cameras stop rolling.
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The star tied the knot in 2017 with her childhood sweetheart (Image: BBC)
A glimpse into Lacey Turner’s early life and family
Born and raised in Hertfordshire, close to the ‘s Elstree studios, Lacey is the eldest daughter of Bev and Les Turner and grew up with her two younger sisters, Daisy and Lily.
Living near the studios sparked her interest in acting. Lacey fondly remembers glimpsing parts of the set from her bedroom window, which fuelled her dream to be part of the cast.
At the age of ten, she attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School but left after a year. She later went to a local private girls’ school while also taking dance, singing, and acting classes outside her regular studies.
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Stacey has captured the nation’s hearts with certain stories (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Sisters under the limelight
Lacey’s siblings, Daisy and Lily, have also dipped their toes into the world of showbiz. Daisy Turner has made a name for herself as Jenny Houston in the popular British soap Hollyoaks, proving that acting prowess runs in the family.
On the other hand, Lily Turner has chosen to keep her life away from the public eye, with little known about her professional endeavours.
Personal life
Turning to Lacey’s personal life, she tied the knot with her long-time love, Matt Kay, in an intimate ceremony in Ibiza in September 2017. The pair have since welcomed two children into their lives: a daughter, Dusty Violet Kay, born in July 2019, and a son, Trilby Fox Kay, who arrived in February 2021.
In September 2024, Lacey revealed that they are expecting their third child, sharing the delightful news alongside beach snaps and a baby scan on .
The actress has starred in other roles (Image: BBC)
Lacey has been candid about her journey through motherhood, including the heartbreak of previous miscarriages. In April 2021, she called for improved support for parents dealing with miscarriage, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure adequate care during such challenging periods.
Life beyond Albert Square
Beyond her iconic role as Stacey Slater in , Lacey’s career spans a range of projects. During her break from the soap, she featured in several TV series, including Being Human (2011), True Love, Bedlam, and Switch (all in 2012), and Call the Midwife (2014).
She notably delivered a standout performance as Molly Dawes in the military drama Our Girl from 2013 to 2014, earning rave reviews for her portrayal.
Beyond her acting pursuits, Lacey has been actively involved in numerous charitable causes and advocacy work. She has lent her support to campaigns such as Asda’s Tickled Pink initiative, which raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
Lacey Turner lives at the North London property with her husband and children, including daughter Dusty (Image: Getty)
Her candidness about personal struggles has also sparked public conversations on issues like miscarriage, demonstrating her dedication to leveraging her influence for good.
As she gears up for the birth of her third child at 36, speculation is rife among fans about how her character will be temporarily written out of the show.
During her last maternity leave, Stacey’s storyline saw her serving time in prison, leading some viewers to predict a similar plot twist this time around.
Others are hoping for a less dramatic exit, suggesting that Stacey might depart to look after a relative, reflecting the soap’s knack for weaving actors’ real-life events into their on-screen narratives.
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