EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders fans were given a welcome surprise in last night's episode (May 26) when Stacey Fowler made a cameo appearance over the phone.
Stacey could be heard speaking to Kush, who had attempted to reach out to her regarding concerns over her mum Jean's welfare.
Although Kush wasn't able to bring himself to tell Stacey what's been going on, there's been a handful of other telltale signs that she could be on her way back very soon. But is Stacey returning, what will happen and why did she leave in the first place? Here's our quick guide...
EastEnders – Why did Stacey leave?
We hope you're sitting comfortably as this is a slightly long and perplexing tale. Uncomfortable scenes in last night's episode saw an unwell Jean offer Phil an "indecent proposal" in the hope that he'd let Stacey come home. Prior to this, we've seen how Jean has become desperate to find a way to bring Stacey home in recent weeks, but why does Phil hold all the cards?
Well, if we cast our minds back to last July, Phil's attack was the talk of the summer ( at least for a few weeks, anyway) – with Stacey unveiled as the culprit. Stacey hit Phil in self-defence, when he was trying to strangle her husband Martin, but after some interference from scheming Ben – who was trying to set up Keanu – she concluded that her only choice was to flee.
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Explaining Stacey's decision at the time, Lacey said: "Obviously, Stacey has previous as she killed Archie, and that also means a history with the police, so she thinks this could put her away for a very long time and she’s petrified. As it all sinks in, she thinks her only option is to leave.”
Since then, Phil has reached the wrong conclusion that Stacey's cousin Kat was his attacker, but bizarrely doesn't seem that bothered about it these days. After Stacey fled the Square with Martin, she made a brief reappearance a few weeks later when Martin returned to Walford following his daughter Bex's tragic suicide attempt.
Martin spent a few weeks reluctantly playing mind games with Ben, who knows the truth , before being forced to lie to Stacey in order to keep her away.
With Ben issuing threat after threat, Martin told Stacey that he'd slept with Sonia – acutely aware that this would ruin their relationship forever. By the time Ben had dropped his hunch with Martin, Stacey had already moved on with someone else.
In real life, Lacey Turner is currently on maternity leave after welcoming her first child last year.
EastEnders – Is Stacey returning and when?
Ultimately, yes. Stacey's exit was only ever meant to be temporary, with Lacey due to reprise the role at some point this year. However, despite recent indications that her comeback is imminent, Stacey's return to Walford could still be a little while off.
It's no secret that the EastEnders team haven't been able to film since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the show currently running on a reduced schedule as a result.
Digital Spy understands that Lacey hadn't yet reprised her EastEnders role prior to the lockdown and there's no further update on when she will. With EastEnders due to resume filming in the current weeks, the show will undoubtedly still have to take a transmission break at some point this summer when current episodes run out.
Therefore, Stacey's return is not likely to hit screens until late summer at the earliest, although it's looking increasingly likely that it will be much later in the year.
EastEnders – What will Stacey's return stories be?
EastEnders has seemingly been setting up Stacey's comeback for the last few weeks, with two major stories looking likely to play into her eventual return. Stacey's name has frequently cropped up amid her mum Jean's current struggles, with Shirley and Mo urging Kush to reach out to her.
Jean is currently having a mental health relapse, after she stopped taking her medication when her partner Daniel Cook passed away. Concerns for Jean's welfare will continue in upcoming episodes, even though Stacey will remain in the dark for some time yet. But although scenes have also suggested a simmering tension between mother and daughter, it seems highly likely that Jean will still play a crucial role in Stacey's eventual return.
Another big story that will be warming up prior to Stacey's return is the one involving her estranged husband Martin and best friend Ruby – and their scandalous fling last year. Fans know that Ruby and Martin had a one-night stand back in November, but have barely interacted since but that's all set to change. As we've already revealed, the pair will be growing closer in upcoming episodes, much to the frustration of Ruby's boyfriend Max.
Whether things hot up between Ruby and Martin again remains to be seen, but Louisa Lytton – who plays Ruby – has already teased that this story will be one to watch this year.
"There is a big storyline coming up next year," she said. "Lacey Turner is back from maternity leave so things are going to get very juicy, but I can't say anything else."
The other big bombshell coming Stacey's way is, of course, regarding Martin's criminal antics at Christmas, which appear to have been airbrushed out of history. We're sure Stacey will have something to say about it though. Speaking of which...
EastEnders - Will Stacey reunite with Martin?
This remains the million dollar question. The last we heard of Stacey's off-screen antics was that she had moved on with single dad Jerome, when he came to pick up the remainder of her belongings from the Slaters'. She also filed for a divorce from Martin earlier this year.
But despite attempting to move on with Sonia last Christmas (and Ruby before that), Martin has made no secret of the fact that he's still in love with Stacey, paving the next round of their on-off relationship when she comes back.
What will Stacey make of Martin's criminal behaviour and his spark with her friend Ruby? That remains to be seen but it looks like things could get very juicy.
EastEnders continue on Monday, June 1 at 8pm on BBC One.
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