EastEnders actress Lacey Turner has been praised by BBC viewers following her “performance of her life” during the live episode of the BBC soap on Thursday night
EastEnders fans were left gobsmacked after Lacey Turner’s heart-wrenching performance in the live episode. On Thursday, viewers were glued to their screens as BBC One aired the soap’s 40th-anniversary special, packed with jaw-dropping revelations.
The week’s episodes wrapped up Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) “who dunnit” saga, with Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) confessing to being Cindy’s secret assailant. But it wouldn’t be EastEnders without a dramatic twist for the big 4-0, and sure enough, villain Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) made a shocking return to Walford.
In a desperate bid to flee, he crashed into the Queen Vic, hitting gas canisters and causing a catastrophic explosion that brought the pub down. Yet, it was Thursday’s scene that truly stunned the audience.
As Martin Fowler (James Bye) braved the wreckage to save his former flame Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), their escape was thwarted when Stacey insisted on declaring their love before leaving. Tragically, as she barred the exit, a massive beam plummeted from above, pinning Martin by the legs.
Stacey was praised by fans(Image: BBC)
Amidst the chaos of the live episode, Stacey and Martin confessed their love, with Martin popping the question in a gripping cliffhanger, reports the Mirror.
Sadly, the plot twist was a bitter pill to swallow for Stacey, who was informed by paramedics that Martin would die shortly after rescue workers lifted the beam to free him due to crushed syndrome. This condition would cause his body to go into kidney failure and result in cardiac arrest.
(Image: BBC)
Stacey’s worst fears were realised as she let out a heart-wrenching scream that echoed across Walford. Lacey, who is currently on maternity leave after giving birth to her third child just a few weeks ago, has since been inundated with praise from soap fans.
One fan took to X, previously known as Twitter, to say: “Lacey Turner everyone. She’s just given birth and came back from maternity to act her heart out LIVE.”
Another chimed in: “So you’re telling me Lacey Turner filmed a stunt heavily pregnant, gave birth, came back a few weeks later and carried a live episode? Where’s this woman’s pride of Britain award? Get her a knighthood pronto!
(Image: BBC)
“Lacey Turner is the definition of ‘master of your craft’. Central in two live eps, despite one being when she was ill and one being a month after she’d given birth! Her talent is off the charts – definitely one of the best actors soap has ever had! What a woman,” another fan commented.
Meanwhile, one viewer expressed: “I have nothing but pure admiration for Lacey Turner. Coming back to EastEnders a few weeks after giving birth to deliver the performance of her life was incredible. Reaching every fibre of her emotion during a LIVE episode isn’t easy. Lacey Turner take a bow.”
Another fan chimed in with: “Lacey Turner really turned up tonight just weeks after giving birth and acted her heart out in so many long scenes before that piercing scream at the end. We are not worthy,”.
