This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which airs on BBC One at 7.30pm or can be streamed on iPlayer now.
A number of EastEnders characters have bid farewell to Albert Square – at least for now.
It’s been a big year for coming and goings in the soap, largely as a result of the 40th Anniversary which was celebrated in February.
Amid a special week of episodes, show legend Martin Fowler (James Bye) was killed in the wreckage caused by a devastating explosion at The Queen Vic pub.
Life would never be the same following his death, and one person has struggled more than anybody else – his ex-wife, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
She’s locked herself away, refusing to leave her bedroom for weeks. In the meantime, her mum Jean (Gillian Taylforth) had been left to run the household and scramble for some cash to support the huge family.
Even Jean scarpered earlier in the week, leaving Stace’s teenage daughter Lily (Lillia Turner) to rule the roost.
Caring for her younger siblings Arthur (Rocco Brenner) and Hope (Isabelle Smith), alongside her own daughter Charli, it became clear that she was struggling.
Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) formed an action plan to support her, and also urged Stacey to get her act together.
In tonight’s episode, she decided to brave the outside world.
Heading out, she was spooked by the memorial for Martin. The gravity of the situation suddenly hit her, and she found comfort in Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa).
She wondered how she coped walking past The Vic each day, given her sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) fell from the roof to her death. Stacey also reflected on her ex-husband Bradley (Charlie Clements), who met the same fate.
Stacey then told Kat that she intended to make a big family dinner, which didn’t exactly go to plan. As everyone tucked in, she became increasingly erratic, and wondered where her coat had gone to.
Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) admitted that he’d taken it to the laundrette, unaware that her phone was in the pocket. Priceless photographs of Martin, and voicemails he’d sent her, were gone forever.
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A heartbroken Stacey then darted across The Square, attempting to break open the machine. Meanwhile, back at home, Arthur revealed something quite frightening to Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).
We’ve decided to hold back on this information – you’ll have to tune in tonight to find out what he said!
An argument between Stacey and Lily ensued, with the youngster deciding that she needed time away to recover from a traumatic few months. After packing her bags to stay with birth father Ryan (Neil McDermott), Stacey came to a similar conclusion.
Alongside Arthur and Hope, they packed away photos of Martin into a shoebox and decided to spend some time with Lynne Slater (Elaine Lordan).
Although Martin wasn’t there anymore, he’d always be by their side.
