Lacey Turner to quit EastEnders to pursue career in films

The actress - revealed as Archie Mitchell's killer in a nail-biting live episode in February - hopes to pursue a career in films, but show bosses said the door would be left open for her return.

Gillian Wright, who plays Stacey's mother Jean, is also leaving later this year.

Turner, 22, said: "I've had the most fantastic time at EastEnders. Stacey has been such a brilliant role for me to play, as has being part of the feisty Slater family.

"I'm so lucky to have had such challenging storylines, from the affair with Max and being diagnosed with bipolar to the complete shock of being revealed as Archie's killer during the live 25th anniversary episode.

"I'll miss Stacey and everyone in Albert Square very much but the time has come to try something different."

Market trader Stacey has been involved in some of the soap's most popular storylines since she arrived in Walford in 2004.

Some 16.5 million viewers saw her confess to Archie's murder after her husband, Bradley, plunged to his death.

She has picked up a string of awards for her role, including four consecutive wins for Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards.

Turner's agent, Sharon Harris, said the actress decided last year to renew her contract with the soap one more time before leaving to pursue new challenges.

She said Turner would like to try a role in a period drama before looking for parts in feature films.

"We had lots of inquiries while doing EastEnders, asking if she was available, and we had to say she wasn't.

"She was contracted to the BBC with huge storylines and wasn't able to accept or consider other roles because she just adored everything about EastEnders and the character of Stacey, but she does feel as an actress she has exhausted everything possible with that particular character."

EastEnders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "We'll be very sad to see Lacey Turner leave the show.

"Lacey is one of the best young actresses on TV at the moment and the fact that she's won 28 awards in the last five years is testament to this.

"It's only right that someone as talented and versatile as Lacey should pursue new challenges and we wish her the very best of luck.

"In the meantime, viewers can look forward to a typically dramatic Slater family exit when she leaves and the door will be left open for Stacey Branning to return to Albert Square in the future."

Actress Wright, 49, whose character also has bipolar disorder, added: "It's been an honour to play Jean, especially as the public response to her has always been so supportive."

Earlier this month, it was revealed that six characters, including Rick "Minty" Peterson, Stacey's uncle Charlie Slater and student Libby Fox were being axed.

The characters of Adam Best, Danny Mitchell and Liz Turner are also on their way out, while actresses Tiana Benjamin (Chelsea Fox) and Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell) are quitting the soap.