Stacey Slater's Emotional Departure Shocks EastEnders Fans

EastEnders fans were all left saying the same thing as Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) made a decision to leave Walford in emotional scenes.

Big Family Meal
During Thursday's (May 22) episode of the BBC One soap, Stacey left the house for the first time in weeks as she struggles to come to terms with Martin Fowler's (James Bye) death. Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) was left concerned when Stacey invited her and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) for a big family meal, fearing she's trying to do too much too soon. Stacey tried to force merriment at home but soon realized that her coat and mobile phone have accidentally fallen into the laundry bag and Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) has taken it to be washed.

Bipolar Episode Suspicions
Stacey explained that the mobile contains voicemails, photos, and texts from Martin and they'll be lost forever if the phone is damaged. As she raced off to rescue the phone, Alfie was left shaken when little Arthur told him that he's heard recent voice notes on Martin's phone from Stacey that suggest she thinks Martin is still alive. At the laundrette, Kat and Lily tried to calm Stacey, fearing she’s experiencing a bipolar episode, but she insisted she knows the signs and that's not what’s happening. However, when Alfie shared Arthur’s intel, a fight broke out between Stacey and Lily which left their relationship at breaking point.

Unexpected Departures
Lily later decided to go to live with her dad Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott) as she believed that it's in her baby daughter Charli's best interest. Stacey also made a big decision about her future as she revealed she's going to stay with Lynne Slater (Elaine Lordan). Fans took to social media in shock, questioning if this was the end for Stacey and Lily on the show. Another chapter in the drama of EastEnders, watch the story unfold on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.