Lacey Turner returning to EastEnders after Archie murder

EastEnders star Lacey Turner is returning to the soap three years after leaving Albert Square.

The actress, who plays Stacey Branning, made her first appearance in the BBC One show on 1 November 2004.

Viewers saw her character escape the country in 2010 after being exposed as Archie Mitchell's murderer.

Her time on the soap included storylines about an affair with her father-in law Max Branning and a struggle with mental illness.

She said: "I may have left EastEnders more than three years ago but the show has always been in my heart, as has Stacey, and she has never really left my side.

"I am so excited about returning and seeing what the future holds for her.

"It's been a while since I set foot in Albert Square and I am looking forward to coming home."

The 25-year-old starts filming at Elstree Studios in January and is also returning to another old role, as young soldier Molly Dawes in a follow-up series to one-off drama Our Girl.

She also appeared in Sky Living drama Bedlam.

EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "Stacey is one of EastEnders' best-loved characters, played by one of television's finest actors, and I am tremendously excited that Lacey has decided to return home to Walford.

"Stacey's last time on the Square was iconic. But that was just the first act.

"There is so much more to come for Stacey, and her return will send ripples of drama through the square."

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