Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner)

[Perdita]

EastEnders is to explore mental illness in one of its hardest-hitting storylines yet.

Stallholder Stacey is diagnosed with bipolar disorder - formerly called manic depression - following her increasingly erratic behaviour since the death of a friend.

In tonight and tomorrow's episodes of the hit BBC1 soap, Stacey, whose mum Jean has mental health problems, moves closer to breaking point.

Lacey Turner, 21, who plays the character, said: "It's great that EastEnders is continuing to raise awareness of this difficult issue. I hope I can do justice to this challenging storyline."

The soap's executive producer Diederick Santer added: "Stacey is a character of highs and lows, of great passions and dark moods.

"This week, those contrasts become bigger and we realise her mood is far more complex than simply being upset about her friend's death."

EastEnders has worked with charities such as Mind on the sensitive storyline.

Mind's Paul Farmer, who hopes it will help dispel some myths surrounding mental illness, said: "It's fantastic that a highprofile soap is prepared to explore a mental health issue through such a popular, well-loved character."


From The Mirror

[Florijo]

Hmm, i'm not sure shes as popular and well loved anymore but i'm glad they are doing this. I'm sure Lacey is sick of her storylines revolving around Stacey's lovelife and the character has been dull and stale for some time now.

[jonks]

That explains Stacys behaviour

[*-Rooney-*]

Im glad she is getting a more serious storyline, the last difficult stoyline she had i think was the abortion.

And I think she will do a good job with it she is a good actress

[angel_eyes87]

This is a great storyline to portray, weren't they trying to do this with sean before the actor left. Have to admit was a bit sceptical about this storyline, but after watching tonights episode, it was superbly acted out by Lacey, she should get an award for this. Her Mum will be brilliant to watch, the interaction between Mum and Daughter will be great viewing.

[Pinkbanana]

Could be a good storyline and educational in understanding this condition, if handled correctly... and I do rate the actress who plays Stacey. So it will be interesting to watch.

[Florijo]

I hope they do this right. I don't want it being used as a vehicle to get Bradley and Stacey back together. Lacey is worthy of a good storyline.

I think they may have wanted to do it with Sean but circumstances prevented that.

[*-Rooney-*]

I liked it at the end yesterday when she was walking thru the square, feeling like everyone was staring at her

[angel_eyes87]

Loved tonights episode, the way the cameras followed her and the way she made sure that she never stood on any cracks, its just the little things that made the episode brilliant, I loved the end scene were she was trying to convince herself that she was normal.

[StarsOfCCTV]

Totally agree, brilliant episode. I felt for Jean trying to help her.

Poor Stacey.