EastEnders star Emma Barton shared her genuine opinion on co-star Lacey Turner joining Strictly Come Dancing. The actress, known for her role as Honey Mitchell on the BBC soap, admitted, “I’m so proud of her,” as her co-star prepares to take to the dance floor.
Barton appeared on Monday’s episode of The One Show alongside another co-star, Ronni Ancona, ahead of a dramatic week on the square. Rob Rinder was also on the iconic sofa, revealing how a real-life courtroom experience helped shape his latest gripping whodunnit, The Defence.
Not long into the interviews, hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp questioned Emma about her opinion on Lacey signing up for Strictly. Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater and has been on Albert Square for 22 years, was confirmed as the first star joining the 2026 season.
Alex Jones pointed out: “Lacey Turner was announced as one of the contestants in Strictly this year, and of course you were absolutely fabulous, as was you, Rob.” She asked: “Have you spoken to her? How is she feeling? Have you given her any tips?”
Emma, who appeared on the BBC hit show in 2019 alongside Anton Du Beke (now a judge), replied: “I sent her a message straight away.” She continued: “I couldn’t believe it. I can’t believe she is doing it. She is so brilliant. She is such a wonderful, gorgeous woman, and the audience is going to love her.” She admitted: “I’m so proud of her because it is nerve-racking and it’s scary.”
Opening up about one of her fears while on the show, Emma turned to Rob and Alex, who have also appeared on Strictly, and said: “Did you have that thing of worrying about coming down the stairs when your name was being called out?” Alex agreed, replying: “Yes.” Emma continued: “That’s the worst. That was the worst, sorry Lacey.”
After the news was announced about Lacey on Strictly's official Instagram page, the actress, who has been on the BBC soap since 2004, featured in a video where she broke her silence over the exciting secret for the first time. In the video, she said: “Hello, it's Lacey Turner. I can't quite believe that I'm actually saying this, but I want to let you in on a little secret. This September, I will be taking my little toes onto the dance floor to do Strictly Come Dancing. I can't believe it. I'm so excited and so terrified at the same time, but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time I plucked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor. So there you go, secret's out. See you in September!”
The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer, and EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
