By Calli Kitson

Copyright metro

Some difficult news to process (Pictures: BBC)

The following article contains spoilers from an episode of EastEnders that hasn’t aired on BBC One yet, but can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.

Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) was forced to have a difficult conversation with Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) in tonight’s episode of EastEnders.

It’s been quite the year for Stacey. In February, she lost her beloved Martin Fowler (James Bye), who died after the explosion in the Queen Vic.

Martin became trapped under a beam and wasn’t able to move. The emergency services tended to Martin but just as the beam started to get altered, he suffered Crush Syndrome, which meant he died moments later.

The fact Stacey lives so close to where Martin died, and where he worked everyday, has been something she’s struggled with. Recently though, she received some news that served as a sign things were changing for the better.

Stacey has been through a lot since Martin’s death (Picture: BBC)

Her brother Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) told Stacey that he’s bought a restaurant in Brazil and wants her help with running it. It was a massive opportunity, and Stacey knew it would give her family the fresh start they have been craving all year.

The problem was though, Sean didn’t want his mum Jean to move as well. The mother and son have always had a difficult relationship, and Sean didn’t want to risk jeopardising the positive dynamic they have now.

It meant that Stacey had to deliver the news to her mum in the latest instalment.

After revealing Sean’s new business venture and how he wants the family to move over, Stacey felt awkward as Jean automatically assumed she would be going along as well.

Stacey gently told her mum that Sean only wants her and the kids to go. It was news Jean found difficult to process, but she knew that Stacey wanted to do what was best for her children.

Lily pondered over the decision to leave (Picture: BBC)

While Stace dealt with more drama involving Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), Lily (Lillia Turner) was in the park with Ricky (Frankie Day), Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and little Charli.

Seeing Ricky spend time with Charli made Lily ponder over leaving.

Just before the episode ended, Lily told Stacey that she doesn’t want Charli growing up without her dad around. It left her with the decision to stay in Walford, which means Jean won’t be completely on her own after all.

Before Stacey leaves, she will come face to face with Max Branning (Jake Wood).

‘Seeing Max again gives Stacey the shock of her life’, Lacey Turner said.

‘She never expected to see him back in Walford, and she knows full well that whenever he’s around, there’s trouble!’ she told us, in what could be the month’s greatest understatement.

‘Max has always had this hold over Stacey that she has no control over. I don’t know what it is about those two, but they’re always drawn together.’

Sean was last seen in 2022 (Picture: BBC)

However, viewers know that the plot is thicker than that – as Max recently entered into a romantic relationship with Zoe, something the rest of the clan, including Stacey, are yet to discover.

So when Stacey clocks them kissing, what kind of headspace is she in?

‘When Stacey sees Max and Zoe kiss, it’s such a shock,’ the popular actress, also known for Our Girl, sighed.

‘She had no idea they knew each other, let alone that they were a couple, so I think she’s in such disbelief. She feels betrayed by Zoe, but she’s reminded that this is typical Max behaviour as it’s what he always does!’

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Rob Kazinsky has reprised his role as Sean Slater a number of times over the past few years.

In 2019, Sean returned to Walford as part of a mental health storyline. It saw him contemplate ending his life, but he was ultimately saved by his mum.

In 2021, Sean briefly headed back to the Slater home after learning that Stacey had married Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) in prison.

And in 2022, as part of Jean’s bipolar storyline, Sean appeared in a video call to her.

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