Lacey shines on screen

The Queen Vic or the Laundrette, The Rovers or The Kabin; these places have never exactly been the hotbed for Britain's best acting. Yes Soaps might be entertaining, heartbreaking and dramatic but outstanding action on a regular basis isn't a given when you sit down with a cup of tea to watch your favourite soaps.

So that is why, after watching EastEnders last week, I am giving special praise to Lacey Turner who plays the troubled Stacey Slater in EastEnders. Lacey joined 2004 as a new addition to the Slater clan but now, 5 years on she has matured into one of soap's favourite characters and a terrific actress.

During last week's EastEnders we saw Stacey lose control as she battles bipolar. The episodes built up to a dramatic and heartbreaking conclusion as Stacey threatened a crowded pub with a broken glass before her desperate mum Jean called Doctor Al, who got Stacey sectioned.

Since her arrival Lacey has been involved in some of EastEnders most dramatic scenes as she dealt with Jean's bipolar and the reveal of her and Max's affair at Christmas. Lacey has the ability to draw an audience in and captivate them with her emotional portrayal of Stacey, a character and an actress that we have seen grow, mature and develop over the years.

Picture from The Mirror