EastEnders star Lacey Turner is battling pain as she heads back into rehearsals for week two of Strictly Come Dancing's 2026 series. The actress, known for playing Stacey Slater in the BBC One soap, was seen with bandages on her feet after the first live show, and a new Strictly star has now revealed why.
Infected blisters revealed on It Takes Two
Abi Clarke, who presents the new spin-off Lights Up with former contestant Tyler West, shared the news on It Takes Two. She said: "I only learnt today, apparently she's got infected blisters, she's in pain."
Lacey is among the celebrities taking part in the dance contest this year and was partnered with professional dancer Vito Coppola during the pre-recorded launch show earlier this month.
Strong start on the leaderboard
The competition officially got underway on Saturday, September 26, with the first live show of the series, where the latest batch of stars performed with their professional partners live for the first time.
The episode opened with a routine by the Strictly professionals to an orchestral version of Joy by Raye, with presenting trio Josh, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe joining the dance before introducing the couples.
Lacey and Vito danced a cha cha to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston, earning a standing ovation and a score of 27 points out of a possible 40 from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. That left them third on the first leaderboard of the series.
Why Lacey joined the show
Speaking previously about why she wanted to take part, Lacey told the Radio Times: "It's been something I've wanted to do for such a long time. I just haven't been brave enough. It feels so surreal to actually be sitting here. But it's very exciting."
She added: "I just thought, you know, I'm 38 and I need to be a bit brave. I'm not at EastEnders at the moment, so this is the perfect opportunity, and it is just such a lovely opportunity that not many people get. So I'd be a fool not to take it."
