BBC EastEnders fans 'work out' huge character's return - but Stacey Slater won't be happy

EastEnders enthusiasts are predicting the comeback of a soap icon - much to the surprise of Stacey Slater.

Stacey Slater, portrayed by Lacey Turner, first graced our screens in 2004. Debuting at just 16, Lacey has since become one of the most adored characters on the soap.

Lacey's character Stacey has been at the centre of some major storylines over the years. From battling bipolar disorder to being involved in murder, Stacey's journey in Walford has been anything but dull.

Moreover, it's safe to say that Stacey has had her fair share of romantic entanglements during her time on the show. She famously tied the knot with fan-favourite Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) in 2007, and who could forget her notorious affair with his father Max Branning (Jake Wood).

The illicit love affair between Max and Stacey wreaked havoc when it ultimately led to the death of his son and her husband Bradley, reports the Daily Star.

Max, known for his womanising ways in Walford, hasn't been seen on the soap since February 2021. His failed relationship with the mother of his child, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), left him feeling desolate and he departed Albert Square, fleeing to Croatia with his granddaughter Abi Branning.

Meanwhile, his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) made a surprise return to the square at the beginning of the year. She came back home with cousin Penny (Kitty Castledine) at the start of the year.

EastEnders enthusiasts are buzzing with speculation that Max could be the character poised for a sensational return to Albert Square. On a fan forum dedicated to EastEnders, under the thread "EE - The next big return," viewers have been swapping predictions.

One fan speculated: "Personally I think Max is probably the character who would have a lot of storylines straight away: Unresolved feelings for Linda, Finding out Annie is his daughter, Reconnecting with Lauren, Sparring with Cindy over their shared grandchildren."

Another chimed in with a succinct: "Max most likely."

A third contributed: "A Max return would be obvious and it seems the stage is certainly set for it to happen with Lauren back and the Jack/Stacey thing and Linda drinking herself into oblivion while in the care of his secret daughter."

In a chat on Isolation Interviews, Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, reminisced about the iconic Max and Stacey plotline, admitting: "At the time I don't think we knew it was going to be that massive, but people really invested in it and you know, people were you really following it."

Lacey continued, highlighting the enduring connection between the characters: "We had this bond between Max and Stacey. They will always have this bond simmering underneath."

Hinting at a possible rekindling of the Max and Stacey flame, she teased: "And you never know when it's going to rear its head. It was so clever."