EastEnders icon gives verdict on co-star joining Strictly Come Dancing line-up

EastEnders’ Lacey Turner confirmed as first star to join Strictly Come Dancing

EastEnders’ Emma Barton has revealed her true feelings about co-star Lacey Turner’s upcoming appearance strictly come dance.

Actress, famous for playing Honey Mitchell BBC “I’m very proud of her,” Soapy admitted as her colleague got ready to grace the ballroom.

Emma featured in Monday’s (June 15) installment a show With co-star Ronnie Ancona, before an explosive week in Walford.

Judge Rob Rinder also sat on the famous couch and discussed how a real courtroom encounter influenced his latest page-turning whodunnit, The Defense.

According to the report, at the beginning of the conversation, presenters Alex Jones and Roman Kemp quizzed Emma about Lacey’s decision to join the dance competition. The Daily Star.

Stacey Slater star, who has graced Albert Square for 22 years, was unveiled as the inaugural celebrity for the 2026 series.

Alex said: “Lacey Turner was announced as one of the contestants on Strictly this year and of course you were absolutely brilliant, just like you Rob.”

She asked: “Have you talked to her, how is she feeling, have you given her any suggestions?” Emma, who competed on the beloved BBC program in 2019 alongside Anton Du Beke – who is now a judge – replied: “I sent him a message straight away.”

The star added: “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe she’s doing it, she’s so brilliant. She’s an amazingly beautiful woman and the audience will love her.” She confessed: “I’m very proud of that because it’s nerve-wracking and scary.”

Revealing one of her “fears” during her time on the show, Emma asked fellow Strictly alumni Rob and Alex: “Were you worried about coming down the stairs when your name was being called.”

Alex nodded in agreement and replied: “Yes.” Emma insisted: “That’s the worst. That was the worst, sorry Lacey.”

Following the announcement on Strictly’s official Instagram page, the beloved actress – who has been starring on the BBC soap since 2004 – broke her silence for the first time in a video addressing the exciting news.

In the clip, she excitedly announced: “Hello, I’m Lacey Turner. I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but I want to let you in on a little secret. This September, I’ll be getting my little feet on the dance floor to dance on Strictly Come Dancing.”

She continued: “I can’t believe it. I’m so excited and so scared at the same time, but I have so many friends who do Strictly and I thought it was time I plucked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor. So there you have it, the secret is out. See you in September!”

The One Show airs weekdays at 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer and EastEnders air Monday-Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.