EastEnders fans are saying they’ve ‘worked out’ why Stacey Slater has ‘not gone for good’ as they branded her exit ‘underwhelming’.

Fans have been preparing for Lacey Turner’s exit for a number of months, after she confirmed during the summer she was leaving the programme.

It’s been a difficult period for the character, who was introduced in 2004, with Stacey struggling following the death of her former husband Martin Fowler.

Despite buying the Queen Vic with her cousin Kat Slater, Stacey has remained disheartened at how everywhere in Walford reminds her of Martin.

This week has seen her continuing debating whether or not to move to Brazil, where her brother Sean Slater offered her a job as a waitress.

However, things turned on its head when Stacey saw Max Branning, the man she cheated on her husband and his son Bradley Branning with, back for Lauren’s wedding.

Stacey was left fuming on Wednesday (October 1), when she spotted Zoe Slater kissing him, just moments after they shared a tender moment about their past.

In scenes aired on Thursday (October 2), Stacey called on Zoe and Max to explain themselves before storming into into The Vic to reveal all to Kat and the rest of Walford.

A fight soon broke out between Zoe, who Max called things off with, and Stacey as Lily urged her mum to leave for Brazil.

With Max pleading for forgiveness, Stacey invited him into her home to let him know she wanted him out of her life.

The person who wanted Stacey to stay more than anyone, her mum Jean Slater, suffered a panic attack as she was stuck on the tube with Priya Nandra-Hart after learning that she was leaving then and there.

Sadly, Jean narrowly missed Stacey as she left for the airport and kicked Zoe out of the house for causing her daughter to depart.

The night concluded with Stacey screening a call from Max and she left the Square in a taxi with her youngest children, Hope and Arthur.

While Martin, Sonia Fowler and Bianca Jackson all received the special Julia’s Theme to mark their permanent exit, Stacey’s departure had the normal outro music as the credits played.

Using this as evidence that Lacey will be back playing Stacey, fans took to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on her final scenes.

@tiffraymonds said: “No Julia’s theme which means this is definitely an extended break. ALSO NO STAX KISS WE WON.” #EastEnders.” @d_a_v_e_m_a added: “Stacey doesn’t even get to say goodbye to Jean and she doesn’t get a Julia’s theme… #eastenders.”

@DVNOXX wrote: “What a rubbish goodbye for such an iconic character. She’ll obvs be back but how underwhelming. Not even a Julia’s theme #eastenders.” @chattyreality stated: “no julia’s theme for stacey THANK GOD!!! that means she’s not gone for good!! #Eastenders.”