Fans of EastEnders were thrilled earlier this year when Lacey Turner made a brief but unforgettable return to Albert Square during the show’s special 40th anniversary live episode. Her emotional scenes as Stacey Slater, where Martin Fowler (played by James Bye) tragically died in her arms after an explosion at the Queen Vic, were among the most heart-wrenching moments of the milestone event. Now, after welcoming her third child, Gipsy Olive, just weeks before filming, the beloved actress has opened up about her future on the BBC One soap—and what it means to juggle her acting career and motherhood in today’s world.

In a candid new interview with The Sun, Lacey, 37, made it clear that she’s not leaving EastEnders any time soon. While her recent appearance was only temporary due to her maternity leave, she’s expressed nothing but love for her role and the stability it brings. “For now I’m really happy [being in EastEnders], and it works,” she said. “I just sort of take each day as it comes.”

The actress emphasized that, like many working parents, she constantly assesses what’s best for her family—and for now, that means staying with EastEnders. She praised the show as being incredibly supportive for working mums, pointing out that even when she’s filming, her parenting never stops. “I’m still a mum even when I’m at work,” she shared. “Parenting doesn’t ever end—even when they’re at school, you’re still thinking about what they’re going to eat for dinner or what they need to do when they get home.”

Despite her public profile, Lacey offered a refreshingly honest take on financial realities, highlighting how there’s still a misconception that soap stars live extravagantly. “Being a parent is expensive,” she said. “People assume you’re rich because you’re on TV, but the truth is, most of us are budgeting and making sacrifices like anyone else.”

Her remarks were made in partnership with Bonya, a baby formula brand that aims to reduce the stigma around formula feeding and advocate for frugality in parenting, especially during the UK’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Lacey said she’s proud to help challenge outdated stigmas, noting that choosing to be frugal isn’t shameful—it’s smart. “We don’t dress our kids in designer clothes,” she admitted. “There’s nothing wrong with high street fashion. Being frugal is a skill.”

She also took aim at the pressure parents face from social media influencers, who often portray a glamorized and costly version of parenthood that many families simply can’t emulate. “There’s this overwhelming fog of marketing and information that leaves parents questioning whether they’re doing enough,” she said. “You could watch 10 Instagram videos on what to feed your baby and still feel unsure. We’re drowning in advice, and it’s exhausting.”

Lacey revealed she’s been fortunate not to have experienced mum-shaming online, but stressed that judgment from strangers is a constant challenge. “Everybody is so quick to shame you these days,” she observed. “Unless you know someone’s situation, you can’t judge. Life is hard enough.”

Reflecting on the wisdom passed down from her own family, she shared a touching quote from her nan that helps keep her grounded during the chaos of parenting: “As long as they have a full belly, clean clothes, and they’re loved—that’s all that matters.” For Lacey, that’s the golden rule. She added: “That advice has stuck with me. There’s so much pressure now. The world doesn’t stop anymore—it moves at 100 miles per hour.”

With three young children—Dusty, Trilby, and Gipsy—Lacey said her life is busy, unpredictable, and full of joy. While she’s not ruling out more children in the future, she made it clear that she’s not planning on expanding her family right now. “Not as it stands today,” she said with a smile.

Still, being a mother remains her greatest passion. “I’ve always wanted to be a mum,” she confessed. “It comes with challenges, but I love it. You learn every day, and you grow together. It’s an ongoing journey.”

Fans will be glad to hear that Lacey is preparing for a full-time return to EastEnders after her maternity leave. While her comeback in the 40th anniversary episode was short-lived, the emotional impact was undeniable. In her final scene, Stacey shared a heartbreaking farewell with Martin, who proposed to her and dreamed of their future together—only to succumb to his injuries moments later. The grief, the silence, and the tears marked one of the soap’s most devastating exits in recent memory.

Despite the intense storyline, Lacey has no plans to walk away from Stacey Slater, a character she has portrayed—with brief breaks—since 2004. In fact, she called it “a great job for a parent,” explaining how the show offers the kind of flexibility and consistency that’s hard to find in the entertainment industry.

As she gets ready to dive back into the world of EastEnders, Lacey is also using her platform to advocate for realistic expectations around parenting, economic struggles, and self-care. Her message is clear: it’s okay to not have it all together. What matters most is doing your best, being present, and cutting through the noise of unrealistic pressures.

So, while Stacey Slater may be grieving on screen, Lacey Turner is thriving off-screen—finding balance, love, and strength in her journey as both a mum and a performer. And for fans, the good news is that her story in Walford is far from over.