Lacey Turner’s husband, Matt Kay, has praised her for her dedication and resilience after she delivered a heart wrenching performance in EastEnders’ live episode – just five weeks after welcoming their third child.
The actress, 35, took centre stage in the soap’s 40th-anniversary live special on Thursday, having giving birth to daughter Gipsy on January 17.
Despite the quick return to work, Lacey stunned viewers with an emotional performance as Stacey Slater, marking one of the most dramatic moments in the show’s history.
Sharing his thoughts on the powerful performance, Lacy’s husband of seven years, took to Instagram calling her performance ‘phenomenal’ and adding that she deserved an award.
Matt – who married Lacy in a private ceremony in Ibiza in 2017 – uploaded a picture from one of the dramatic scenes and wrote: ‘Sorry but these two were phenomenal tonight. If they don’t win an award for that I’ll eat my hat.’
He later penned a heartfelt message gushing: ‘I am absolutely bursting with pride for my wife and the incredible job she did at work this evening.
Lacey Turner’s husband, Matt Kay, has praised her for her dedication and resilience after she delivered a heart wrenching performance in EastEnders ‘ live episode – just five weeks after welcoming their third child
The actress, 35, took centre stage in the soap’s 40th-anniversary live special on Thursday, having giving birth to daughter Gipsy on January 17.
‘Watching her collaborate with her co-workers and ultimately achieve her goals was nothing short of inspiring.
‘She consistently goes above and beyond, and her pᴀssion for what she does is evident in every project she undertakes.
‘I am so grateful to have such an amazing partner by my side, and I can’t help but admire her strength and resilience. She truly is incredible!’
Lacey responded resharing the candid post on her Instagram Stories alongside a sweet ‘Love you’ and heart emoji.
Wednesday night’s episode saw Walford rocked by a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly explosion at the Queen Vic during the 40th anniversary live episode.
Viewers had been left a cliffhanger after Stacey’s ex, Martin Fowler played by James Bye became trapped under a steel beam in the ruins.
However, in a heartbreaking twist, during Thursday’s live episode viewers were left devastated as the fan favourite was killed off in tragic scenes as he died from crush syndrome.
At first, it appeared that Martin had been successfully rescued from underneath the beam, but his heart then stopped as firefighters rushed to try and save him.
Sharing his thoughts on the powerful performance, Lacy’s husband of seven years took to Instagram to share his thoughts (Pictured: Matt and Lacy with their children Dusty, five, Trilby, four and Gipsy, one month)
Uploading a picture from the dramatic live scenes, Matt called Lacy and James’ performances ‘phenomenal’, adding that they deserved an award
He later penned a heartfelt message gushing that he was ‘bursting with pride’ and describing her as incredible before saying he admired her ‘strength and resilience’
His ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey ) was left in floods of tears as Martin died in front of her eyes just moments after he declared his love for her and proposed.
The heartbreaking episode ended with Stacey hugging Martin’s lifeless body while her gut-wrenching screams echoed through the pub, confirming the tragedy.
The emotional scenes saw on/off couple Martin and Stacey share a tearful final conversation while he firefighters tried to rescue him from beneath the beam.
After months of avoiding their feelings, Martin declared his love for Stacey and proposed, promising her any future in or out of Walford as they decided to give their relationship another chance.
‘I truly, madly, head over heels, love you,’ Martin declared. ‘I don’t ever want to be apart from you again, alright?’
‘Will you marry me?’ he then asked Stacey, who said there was no need to have another ‘party’ to celebrate their union.
Persuading her, he said: ‘It’s you and me showing the world how much we love each other,’ and told her he wanted to make a wedding speech about her.
‘So is that a yes?’ Martin asked her, prompting Stacey to giggle and reply: ‘Yes!’
It comes after EastEnders fans were left devastated as fan favourite Martin Fowler was killed off in tragic scenes during the 40th anniversary live episode
His ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) was left in floods of tears as Martin died in front of her eyes just moments after he declared his love for her and proposed
However, their happiness was short-lived and Stacey began to worry that something was wrong and upon speaking to a paramedic, made a heartbreaking discovery.
The medic told her that once the beam was lifted, Martin’s body would be flooded with toxins and he was at risk of crush syndrome because of his injuries.
Read More EastEnders’ Sonia Fowler gives birth to baby girl on the floor of the Queen Vic 
After being told to say her goodbyes to Martin, Stacey couldn’t bring herself to tell him about his tragic fate, but he soon realised upon seeing her devastation.
They had a heartbreaking farewell as, through tears, Martin told Stacey the words he would have told her on their wedding day after his proposal.
Sharing what his speech would have been, he began: ‘No pressure but I have loved this woman since the very first moment I saw her.
‘I thought she was the Sєxiest thing I’ve ever clapped my eyes on. It’s always been Stace because she feels like home and adventure wrapped into one.’
In a nod to EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, he added: ‘I know that this time and we are going to be in here in the Vic celebrating our anniversary in 40 years time.’
The couple then shared a kiss before firefighters began to lift the beam and though it at first appeared Martin had been rescued, he then tragically died.
The episode came to a heart wrenching end with Stacey’s screams being heard by the Walford residents waiting outside the Queen Vic for news about those stuck inside.
As Stacey hugged Martin’s lifeless body, his ex-wife Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) – who has been involved in a love triangle with the duo – fell to her knees as she heard the screams.
Moments before his death, Martin declared his love for Stacey and proposed to her, promising her any kind of future either in or out of Walford she wanted
Martin first arrived in Walford on July 30, 1985, and was played by Jon Peyton-Price and then James Alexandrou, before James Bye (pictured) took on the role in 2014
It was a devastating twist as Martin’s death came just moments after the good news that Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cᴀssidy) had given birth to her daughter in the ruins of the Queen Vic.
Martin first arrived in Walford on July 30, 1985, and was first played by Jon Peyton-Price and then James Alexandrou, before James Bye took on the role in 2014.
During his 10 years on the soap opera, James has been at the centre of some of EastEnders’ biggest storylines and shared some poignant words upon his exit.
He said: ‘Saying goodbye is not easy, but after 10 years at EastEnders and on the night of the shows epic 40th anniversary – the time felt right.
‘It’s an honour to leave on a story of this magnitude. A huge thank you to all the fans of the show – EastEnders wouldn’t be what it is without you – and to the BBC and EastEnders team for trusting me with this role for so many years.
‘This fruit and veg man will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s time to look forward, and I’m incredibly excited for what the future holds. RIP Martin Fowler.’
