Stacey and Jean to leave EastEnders

EastEnders actresses Lacey Turner and Gillian Wright, who play mother and daughter Stacey Branning and Jean Slater, will leave the show later this year.

Lacey, who first arrived in Albert Square in 2004, has reportedly left to pursue other projects but the door will be left open for her return.

Stacey was followed onto the Square by her mother Jean, who has appeared in the show on and off since 2004. Jean and Stacey have had a troubled relationship throughout their time on the show. In one of EastEnders most emotional storylines bipolar sufferer Jean helped her daughter Stacey through her recent diagnosis with bipolar.

As two of the best actresses in the soap their departure will be a great loss to EastEnders. Lacey has been involved in some of EastEnders biggest stories over her six years in Walford. From her romance with Bradley Branning, affair with Bradley's dad Max, suffering from bipolar and being revealed as Archie Mitchell's killer in EastEnders first ever live episode.

The pair's departure adds to the long list of cast members departing the Square this year. Matriarch Peggy Mitchell, Minty Peterson, Chelsea and Libby Fox and Charlie Slater are just some of the characters who will bow out of the show in 2010. But whilst it is all change in Walford, fans can look forward to the return of favourites Alfie and Kat Moon later this year.

Picture from Virgin Media

Glee, Monday E4

A glossy over-excitable American drama about all-singing, all-dancing teens? Sounds a bit like High School Musical and thus must be avoided by everyone over the age of 14 surely? But Glee (E4, Mondays 9pm) is a joyfully funny and light-hearted show centered around a high school glee club (a show choir group).

After the roaring success of the first half of season one, Glee returned last night on E4. Following their triumphant victory at sectionals New Directions returned to William McKinley High School with regionals on the horizon.

Since finding out he wasn't the father of Quinn's baby Finn had managed to fall unknowingly into a relationship with high-maintenance Rachel before quickly falling out again. But Rachel took little time to get over the break-up as she soon meets leading man Jesse St James, star singer from rival group Vocal Adrenaline (who New Directions are due to meet at regionals). A little too convenient maybe?

But it wasn't just the teenage hormones raging as teachers Will and Emma blossoming relationship hit major stumbling blocks. After breaking up with wife Terri after her baby lie Will began to have doubts about a new relationship and soon found himself in the arms of rival Vocal Adrenaline coach. Will and Emma promptly parted ways.

The best part of Glee is not the hugely catchy tunes and mash-ups or the teenage stories of love and break-up, it is Sue Sylvester. After being suspended Sue makes her return to the school in dubious circumstances and soon promises Will she will once again aim to destroy him and his glee club. Sue, maybe the worst teacher in the world, is brilliantly witty and delivers hysterical, cutting one-liners.

Like all good evil-geniuses Sue needs her right-hand men and in Glee this is the comedy pairing of Brittany and Santana, cheerios and glee club members. Whilst both only had minor roles in the opening episodes they are quickly becoming comedy gold for the show. Who couldn't laugh at the odd, yet beautifully funny line, "Did you that know dolphins are just gay sharks?" from Brittany to a confused Santana.

Whilst I am no Gleek (all the best shows need a catchy abbreviation), I do admit I am strangely addicted to this slightly less-embarrassing alternative to the High School Musical craze.

Maybe it is the cleverly arranged and annoyingly catchy songs, the relatable yet still over-the-top and interesting High School misfits or the hilarious antics from Sue and co? (or all of the above?) But Glee is fast becoming my favourite joyful TV show. Next up, a special Madonna themed episode.

Picture from E4.com

Doctor Who, The Eleventh Hour

Slipping on a tweed jacket and twiddling his bow tie Matt Smith bounded brilliantly onto the screen for his full debut as the new Doctor in last night's Doctor Who series opener The Eleventh Hour.

His quirky, witty and energetic Doctor will quickly dispel any fond memories from the David Tennant era and last night's showing promises great things from the youngest ever (yet still as mad) Doctor.

And Amy Pond showed herself to be an able sidekick for the Time Lord. Brash, confident yet still with a slight innocence and awe at his presence Karen Gillan slotted perfectly next to Smith in the role.

The episode started with the Tardis hurtling towards Earth eventually landing in the garden of a young Amelia Pond. After getting through a few regeneration hitches involving apples, yogurt and custard-covered fish fingers the Doctor soon finds an alien-related mystery waiting for him in the shape of a large crack in Amelia's bedroom wall, the mysterious Prisoner Zero and a giant eye.

One of Doctor Who's many strengths has always been the ability to mix emotion amongst the madness and in this episode this came when young Amelia sat on her suitcase, waiting for the mysterious Doctor and his Police box to return in what he said would be five minutes.

What was just over five minutes for the Doctor turned out to be 12 years for Amelia, now grown-up kissogram Amy by the time the Doctor returned. Meeting up once again Amy and the Doctor had time for a brief re-introduction and a little banter before coming face to face with the monster (Prisoner Zero) that had been scaring Amelia through her bedroom wall all those years ago.

Whilst the concept of a scary shape-shifting eel-like creature with piranha teeth escaping through a crack in the wall isn't Doctor Who's best scary alien story it facilitated the connection between the Doctor and his future companion nicely.

As with Doctor Who the end of the world soon loomed (in 20 minutes to be exact) and the Doctor had to save the day before the giant eye ship, known as the Atraxi incinerated Earth. The Doctor, with the help of Amy and her boyfriend Rory finally managed to defeat Prisoner Zero in a way only the Doctor could understand.

A final confrontation between the Doctor and the Atraxi culminated in a fitting look back at the Doctor Who legacy, from the Daleks and Cybermen to Tom Baker and David Tennant. But this episode was all about Smith and his wonderfully weird new Doctor, heralding in a new, fresh and younger era for television's best-loved franchise.

Picture from BBC

Chelsea Fox to leave EastEnders

EastEnders minx Chelsea Fox will depart Albert Square later this year after actress Tiana Benjamin announced she was quitting the BBC soap.

Benjamin, 25, who has been on the show since May 2006, has quit to pursue other projects.

Chelsea first appeared in Walford as a surprise love interest for Grant Mitchell and was joined soon after by feisty mother Denise and sister Libby.

Over her four years Chelsea has dated many of Walford's male residents including Sean Slater and more recently Jack Branning. But other than being a maneater, her character has been underused. Chelsea had a short-lived and now forgotten about drug habit and served time in prison for falsely accusing Sean of attacking Patrick back in 2007.

But Chelsea may yet have an explosive exit from Walford with her father Lucas' murder secret yet to be discovered. Lucas has already killed twice, so could Chelsea find out the terrible truth or will she be unstable Lucas' next victim?

Picture from BBC