EastEnders star Lacey Turner, best known for playing Stacey Slater, is reportedly set to appear on Strictly Come Dancing
EastEnders icon Lacey Turner is rumoured to be joining Strictly Come Dancing, having previously declined the BBC programme.
The soap actress has entertained audiences as Stacey Slater for many years, but is presently taking an “extended break” from television to concentrate on her young family.
She has been associated with the competition before, but is believed to have agreed to take to the dance floor while away from the enduring soap opera.
The 38-year-old, who had her third child with husband Matt Kay last year, wouldn’t be the first Albert Square resident to participate in the programme, with Kellie Bright, Jake Wood, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Balvinder Sopal and Maisie Smith amongst those who have featured.
“Strictly bosses are delighted to snap Lacey up for the series, especially as she has such a huge fan base from her time on the soap,” an insider said, reports the Mirror.
“She’s down to earth and viewers will be excited to get to know her personality away from Albert Square.
“She has loved having some quality time off screen to focus on parenting, but feels like now is the perfect time to learn to dance and try something different before she reprises her role in EastEnders,” they added to the Sun.
Lacey first appeared in EastEnders as Stacey in 2004 and quickly became a beloved character. She stepped away from the programme last year, with fans eager for her comeback. While the television star hasn’t publicly commented on the rumours, she has previously been approached about Strictly – but declined the offer.
“I have been asked to go on Strictly but I’m rubbish at dancing and I don’t really have the guts,” she told OK! Magazine in 2017. “I’d do it if it wasn’t on telly – I just don’t like being on TV! I do think it’s a great show to do, though, as you learn a new skill.”
“Maybe one day I’ll grow a pair and put the shoes on,” she joked at the time, though her stance shifted within two years when she told the publication: “I don’t know if I could do any but I guess if I was going to do any I would do either Strictly, although I can’t dance, or the jungle.”
The forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing is scheduled to begin in September, marking the debut season for new presenting team Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
The three were confirmed as the programme’s new hosts earlier this month following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s announcement that they would be standing down.
WalesOnline has approached representatives for the BBC for comment.
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