EastEnders icon's sister appeared on soap - but boss had no idea they were related
Lacey Turner has become a Walford icon playing Stacey Slater on EastEnders - but it turns out her sister has also appeared on the soap, with the exec producer being none the wiser
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EastEnders icon Lacey Turner, famed for her portrayal of Stacey Slater since 2004, has become one of the most beloved figures on the BBC One soap.
Lacey's journey as Stacey has been fraught with high-octane drama, from grappling with bipolar disorder to being embroiled in murder plots, ensuring that her character's life in Walford is anything but dull.
It seems talent is a family trait, as Lacey's younger sister also stepped into the limelight of acting and soaps. When Lacey took a hiatus from the show in 2010, her sister Lily Harvey, using their mother's surname professionally, joined the EastEnders cast.
At just nine years old, Lily portrayed Shenice Quinn, the daughter of Kat Slater's friend Martine, making her mark on the iconic soap.
Interestingly, even executive producer Bryan Kirkwood was initially unaware of the familial connection, admitting: "Whether by accident or design I sat down and watched a [video] tape of a very talented young girl," reports the Daily Star.
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"And it was only after we decided that I was told it was Lacey's sister. So it was a complete accident."
Lily's stint as a guest star on EastEnders lasted until August 2011, after which she was offered a full-time role but departed the series in 2012.
The acting gene clearly runs strong in the Turner family, as another of Lacey's sisters, Daisy Turner, ventured into soap operas. At the age of 20, Daisy joined Hollyoaks on Channel 4 in 2011, portraying the glamorous Jenny Houston.
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Daisy opened up about the challenges of entering the soap world with her sister Lacey already an established star, as she recounted to Liverpool Echo: "All three of us do it."
"Lacey and I acted as kids. Our mum, Bev, let us do everything singing, dancing and acting," Daisy revealed. When Daisy secured a role on Hollyoaks, Lacey was nothing but supportive, assuring her "she is there" for her.
Recounting the moment she received the news, Daisy said: "I was at home with my mum and sisters when I got the call to say I'd got the part. Lacey said if I need her, she is there."
Daisy admitted feeling the weight of expectation, saying: "I suppose there is a bit of pressure because she is very good at what she does. She has done it for years and I am just starting out."
