Former EastEnders star Lacey Turner has posted an emotional family update on social media, celebrating her youngest daughter's first birthday just months after stepping away from the BBC drama.
A Milestone Celebration
The actress, who is famed for playing Stacey Slater, shared a heartwarming Reel on Instagram on Tuesday, 13th January 2026. The video, set to Fleetwood Mac's song 'Gypsy', featured adorable photos of her daughter, Gipsy, who had just turned one.
In the caption, the 37-year-old mother-of-three wrote: "This is ONE!! A whole year of you baby! Today and everyday we celebrate you!!! (and your funny face). Love you forever and ever."
Lacey's husband, Matt Kay, also marked the occasion with his own Reel, expressing: "Gipsy... you stole my heart a year ago today and it's never been the same since. Where has this year gone? Seriously! Happy birthday my darling angel I love you so so much."
Co-Stars and Fans Send Love
The post prompted an outpouring of affection from the actress's colleagues in Walford and her loyal fans. Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar, commented: "Happy Birthday Gypsy. Hope life is treating you well, Lacey."
Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler) added: "How is that a year ago! Happy birthday gorgeous one," while Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater) simply wrote: "Happy birthday darling Gypsy."
Soap viewers joined in the celebrations, with one noting the child's resemblance to her mother: "Looks like her mummy. You make beautiful babies." Another fan remarked on how quickly time passes, saying: "Can't believe how quickly the children have grown. Gorgeous!!!"
Focus on Family After Soap Exit
This personal milestone comes shortly after Lacey's temporary departure from EastEnders last year. The actress, who first joined the soap in 2004, has taken an "extended break" to concentrate on her young family and other projects.
She is also mother to six-year-old daughter Dusty and four-year-old son Trilby. During her storied tenure on the show, her character Stacey was central to some of Albert Square's most gripping plots, including a notorious affair with Max Branning, a bipolar diagnosis, and being implicated in Archie Mitchell's murder.
Despite her current absence, Turner has reassured fans that her exit is not permanent. In a farewell video from the set last year, she told the cast and crew: "I will be back in a minute." She elaborated, "Thank you, everyone. I am coming back, I won't be long. I love you all very much and it's a very special place to work."
EastEnders continues to air Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
