EastEnders' Lacey Turner's husband praises her live ep ...

EastEnders' Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, has been showered with praise by her husband Matt Kay for her stunning performance in the soap's live episode. The iconic show marked its 40th anniversary this week with a series of special episodes, including the much-anticipated live broadcast on Thursday night.

Lacey was at the heart of the action, opening and closing the episode, leaving viewers reaching for tissues as Martin Fowler met his untimely end. What some fans may not realise is that Lacey's heart-wrenching live performance came just five weeks after she welcomed her third child, daughter Gipsy, on January 17. She then jumped straight back into work to gear up for the live show. Lacey and Matt, who tied the knot in 2017, are also parents to daughter Dusty and son Trilby. Matt took to social media to express his awe at his wife's dedication and talent.

In the gripping episode, disaster struck Walford when a deadly explosion ripped through the Queen Vic. While Martin Fowler (portrayed by James Bye) managed to forge a path through the debris, Stacey stood her ground, insisting they confront their feelings before fleeing, reports the Mirror. In a tragic twist, a massive metal beam plummeted from the ceiling, pinning Martin beneath it.

Paramedics and firefighters battled to free Martin, yet Stacey was grimly informed that lifting the beam could trigger a cardiac arrest due to crush syndrome. Hope flickered as Martin seemed poised to pull through after being freed, but tragedy struck and he passed away in Stacey's arms.

Outside, the eerie silence of the Square was shattered by Stacey's harrowing cry from within the gutted Vic. Martin's current partner Ruby Allen, co-parent to their son Roman, recognised Stacey's scream, knowing that tragedy had struck.

In the wake of the dramatic scenes, Lacey's real-life husband paid tribute to her. Sharing a picture of Lacey and James on Instagram, he wrote: "Sorry but these two were phenomenal tonight. If they don't win an award for that I'll eat my hat."

He also penned a heartfelt note lauding her commitment and strength, notably so soon after giving birth just five weeks earlier. He wrote: "I am absolutely bursting with pride for my wife and the incredible job she did at work this evening. 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 passion 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 couldn't resist sharing the heartfelt praise on her Instagram Stories, responding with a sweet "Love you" and a heart emoji.