'I FELT GUILTY LEAVING MY CHILDREN'

The popular actor is waving goodbye to Walford to focus on family

- FIONA CASSIDY

She's one of Albert's Square's most beloved stars, but last month Lacey Turner stunned fans with the announcement she was quitting EastEnders after more than 20 years.

The actor, who plays Stacey Slater on the show, revealed how her guilt over being apart from her three children - daughters Dusty, five, five-month-old Gipsy and son Trilby, four - played a major part in her shock decision.

Opening up about her dilemma of being a working mother, she said, 'You feel guilty leaving them, but also guilty for not earning, it's just never-ending.'

Lacey, 37, joined the cast in 2004 and quickly became a fan favourite, winning over 30 TV awards playing the troubled Slater sister. It's not the first time she's taken time out of the soap, having quit back in 2010 and reprising her role in 2014.

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