EastEnders fans spot 'huge clue' Stacey will return as Lacey Turner departs after 21 years

It was an emotional night inEastEnderstonight as Stacey Slater made her exit from Albert Square. After weeks of deliberating, Stacey finally made the choice to leave for Brazil with her two youngest, Hope and Arthur.

Earlier this week, Stacey announced she was going to stay in Walford, to the delight of the Slaters. However, her daughter Lily could sense she wasn't making the right decision, as she persuaded her to make sure she's doing what she really wants.

Stacey then got the shock of her life when Max Branning returned to Walford for his daughter Lauren's wedding. Stacey and Max had a heart to heart as the reminisced on the old days, but things came crashing down when she later saw Zoe and Max sharing a kiss outside The Vic.

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In tonight's episode, Zoe revealed she and Max had been an item while she was away from Walford, as a fuming Stacey revealed all to everyone in the Vic. This led to a fight between the two, in which Stacey slapped Zoe. Stacey then stormed back home, where Lily once again persuaded her to catch the flight to Brazil.

Of course, Max showed up once again where he told Stacey he wanted to try again, but Stacey was having none of it, as she told him she was going. She then packed her bags and said goodbye to the Slaters, but in heartbreaking scenes, Jean was too late as she was stuck on a broken tube.

Stacey was then seen driving off in a taxi, as she deleted a voicemail from Max apologising and telling her she deserved better than him. The episode then came to an end as Stacey hugged her children, but fans noticed one key detail missing from the exit, leaving them hopeful she'd be back.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: "Where was Julia’s theme for Stacey? Criminal!!!" while another penned: "What do you mean Stacey didn’t get Julia’s theme?!?!"

However, a third hopeful fan wrote: "it’s reassuring that stacey didn’t get julia’s theme or have a proper final scene with jean. it says to me it’s not a matter of if she will be back just when. i will miss her a lot whilst she’s away."

"Stacey not getting Julia’s theme because she’s going to come back eventually fills me with hope because EE isn’t EE without Lacey Turner," penned another.

Earlier this year, Lacey Turner revealed she'd be taking an extended break from the show, as she told the Sun: "It's time for myself and Stacey to take a rest and who knows what Stacey will get up to in her time away?" She then teased: "Knowing Stacey, it will never be boring."

At the time, an EastEnders spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that Lacey will be off-screen later this year. They however promised that there is "plenty of more drama" to come before her character Stacey leaves Albert Square once again.

They also teased that Stacey will return in the future. They said that those behind the show will look forward to "planning [her] return" when Lacey "decides the time is right".

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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