Lacey Turner Is Finally Telling Her Story – And Her No-Nonsense Memoir Could Reveal What Fans Never Knew.
Lacey Turner is undisputed EastEnders royalty, isn’t she?
Lacey and her character, Stacey Slater, have been part of some of the most ground-breaking and celebrated soap plots of all time, with Lacey expertly embodying every facet of her alter-ego’s personality.
Emerging as a troubled and troublesome teenager who’d had to grow up way too early in the face of mum, Jean Slater’s (Gillian Wright) untreated mental health issues before evolving into a minx-y drama magnet who became part of the most dramatic affair reveal ever.
As she began to display signs of bipolar disorder, viewers went on one of the most emotive soap journeys ever as she descended into depression before being plunged into mania, with her illness ravaging her.
She later experienced post-partum psychosis, and again, Lacey portrayed the incredibly sensitive and under-represented issue with the utmost respect and nuance in a critically lauded performance.
She also bumped off Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) and took on the arch-bitch of Albert Square, Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) and lived to tell the tale. Yup, our Stace’ has done it all.
After 20 years – on and off – portraying the Walford icon, Lacey announced that she’d be taking a break – or an ‘indefinite hiatus’ – and it appears she’s been an incredibly busy bee in her time off, having penned an ’empowering, no nonsense’ memoir!
Gold Dust: My Life (So Far) with the Women Who Shaped Me, is set to release on October 22, 2026, with Lacey taking to Instagram to announce her debut book.
Sharing an image of the front cover, Lacey captioned the post: ‘Well… this is a bit surreal.
‘I’ve spent the last year looking back on my life and talking about the women who helped shape me, and now I can finally share it with you. Gold Dust is packed with stories, laughter, life lessons and some very special people who have been there through every chapter of my life.
‘Writing this book has reminded me just how lucky I’ve been to have such strong, funny and inspiring women around me. I can’t wait for you to read it.’
As promised in the title, Gold Dust will spill the tea on her relationships with the most inspirational women in her life: her mother, grandmother, sisters, daughters and best friends. It’ll also shed light on her bonds with her co-stars, including the late, great June Brown, Barbara Windsor and Wendy Richard.
The official blurb for the book says: ‘Both on and off screen, Lacey’s life has been defined by strong, fearless, inspiring women. Lacey has always been inspired by the immense courage, talent and kindness of women.
‘Now, in her memoir Gold Dust, Lacey invites readers behind the scenes of her life, sharing the women, their wisdom and the unforgettable moments that have shaped her.’
It goes on to promise ‘behind-the-scenes gossip and hilarious anecdotes’, alongside ‘life wisdom from EastEnders icons’ while promising to be an ‘uplifting celebration and a reminder that women are bloody amazing – just as precious as gold dust.’
Lacey’ll be returning to screens later this year on Strictly Come Dancing.
‘I am so excited to be making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!’ she said when her casting was announced.
‘I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!’
