Lacey Turner has been confirmed for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, with a social media post revealing an image of the Eastenders actor hidden behind the Strictly logo
EastEnders legend Lacey Turner has been announced as the first contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. The North Londoner, who was born in Edgware, is best known to millions of soap fans for her long-running role as Stacey Slater since she made a scene-stealing debut on the BBC soap in 2004.
The 38-year-old will be among the celebrities taking to the ballroom floor when the new series starts on BBC One this September with new hosts Josh Widdicombe, Johannes Radebe and Emma Willis. Away from Albert Square, Lacey juggles her acting career with motherhood, having three young children – Dusty, Trilby and Gipsy Olive – with husband Matt Kay.
Lacey has previously explained on Loose Women how two miscarriages had left her wondering if she would ever have a child. “The second time I had a miscarriage at exactly the same point, around seven weeks, although I was more prepared, it was more of a kick in the stomach,” she said.
“Because it hadn’t worked and that’s the second time, so what do I do now? Is there something wrong, is this going to take us years? Will we ever get there? It got to the point where I said to Matt, ‘Let’s just forget it. We’ll get a puppy.’ As soon as we’d said that, we fell pregnant.”
Behind the scenes, she hails from a family brimming with talent; her younger sisters Lily and Daisy are also familiar faces in the acting circuit.
Who is sister Lily Harvey and what has she been in?
At just 24 years old, Lily is the baby of the clan and no stranger to the acting profession herself. While Lacey was taking time off from EastEnders back in 2010, Lily stepped onto the scene as Shenice Quinn, daughter of Kat’s friend Martine. Then 9-year-old Lily shone as Shenice until her departure in 2012, leaving quite an impression.
Bryan Kirkwood, EastEnders’ former executive producer, recounted his surprise upon discovering Lily’s connection to Lacey after he cast her, saying: “Whether by accident or design I sat down and watched a tape of a very talented young girl. And it was only after we decided that I was told it was Lacey’s sister. So it was complete accident.”
Lily appears to have stepped away from acting following her stint on EastEnders. Her current occupation remains a mystery, but her Instagram feed is filled with travel photos and links to her Youtube and TikTok accounts.
She occasionally pops up on Lacey’s social media platforms, with the sisters having attended the National Soap Awards together in 2022. “About last night… Me and my beaut lil sis. Thank you to the one and only @kymmullem for the waves,” Lacey captioned a striking photo of the duo.
Who is Daisy Turner and what has she been in?
In 2011, Lacey’s sister Daisy made her entrance into the world of soaps with a role in Hollyoaks. She joined the cast as Jenny Houston. Reflecting on her acting journey at the time, Daisy, who was 20 when she joined the Channel 4 show, said: “All three of us do it. Lacey and I acted as kids.
“Our mum, Bev, let us do everything – singing, dancing and acting. I was at home with my mum and sisters when I got the call to say I’d got the part. Lacey said if I need her, she is there. I suppose there is a bit of pressure because she is very good at what she does. She has done it for years and I am just starting out.”
Daisy’s tenure on Hollyoaks was brief, with her character Jenny meeting her end at the hands of Silas as part of an extended storyline on the soap.She seems to have left acting behind, and her current profession remains unknown.
Further news about Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be revealed throughout the summer ahead of the brand-new series getting underway on BBC One and iPlayer this September.
