BBC EastEnders' Lacey Turner in 'performance of her life' as fans ...

EastEnders enthusiasts were united in their reaction to Lacey Turner's heart-wrenching performance during the live episode on Thursday night. The BBC One soap opera marked its 40th anniversary with a live instalment packed with major revelations.

In recent episodes, viewers had been gripped by the "who dunnit" plot involving Cindy Beale (played by Michelle Collins), which concluded with Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) unmasked as Cindy's enigmatic assailant. Yet, in typical EastEnders style, the showrunners had grand plans for the milestone episodes, including the dramatic return of murderer Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) to Albert Square.

His attempt to flee ended disastrously as he crashed into the Queen Vic pub, hitting several gas canisters and causing an explosion that led to the pub's catastrophic collapse.

But it was one particular scene from Thursday's live show that left fans utterly astounded. As Martin Fowler (James Bye) braved danger to rescue his former spouse Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) from the wreckage, their escape was thwarted just after Martin cleared a route out.

Stacey insisted on staying until they confronted their true feelings. In a tense moment, she shut the door just as a massive metal beam plummeted from above, crushing Martin's legs, reports the Mirror.

Amid the chaos of the live episode, Stacey and Martin confessed their love, culminating in Martin's impromptu marriage proposal.

Regrettably, the plot twist was a bitter pill to swallow for Stacey, who was informed by paramedics that Martin would tragically die from crushed syndrome shortly after being freed by rescue workers. This condition would cause his body to go into kidney failure and result in cardiac arrest.

Stacey's worst fears were realised as she let out a heart-wrenching scream that echoed across Walford. Lacey has since been inundated with praise from fans of the soap, who noted that she is currently on maternity leave, having welcomed her third child just a few weeks ago.

One fan took to X, previously known as Twitter, to say: "Lacey Turner everyone. She's just given birth and came back from maternity to act her heart out LIVE."

Another chimed in: "So you're telling me Lacey Turner filmed a stunt heavily pregnant, gave birth, came back a few weeks later and carried a live episode? Where's this woman's pride of Britain award? Get her a knighthood pronto!

"Lacey Turner is the definition of 'master of your craft'. Central in two live eps, despite one being when she was ill and one being a month after she'd given birth! ! Her talent is off the charts - definitely one of the best actors soap has ever had! What a woman," another fan remarked.

In the meantime, one viewer expressed: "I have nothing but pure admiration for Lacey Turner. Coming back to EastEnders a few weeks after giving birth to deliver the performance of her life was incredible. Reaching every fibre of her emotion during a LIVE episode isn't easy. Lacey Turner take a bow."

Another fan chimed in with: "Lacey Turner really turned up tonight just weeks after giving birth and acted her heart out in so many long scenes before that piercing scream at the end. We are not worthy,".