Lacey Turner Unveils Strictly Come Dancing Injuries After Strong Weekend Performance

Lacey Turner, the 38-year-old EastEnders actress, showcased her injuries from Strictly Come Dancing as she arrived for rehearsals on Monday. The performer had placed third on the leaderboard over the weekend following her Cha Cha routine with dance partner Vito Coppola. Their performance to Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know" earned a standing ovation from judge Shirley Ballas.

Despite the accolades, Turner's feet bore the marks of her strenuous effort on the dance floor. She was seen sporting bandages on her heel and around her big toe while wearing flip-flops for comfort. Her casual attire for rehearsals included brown leggings and a cream knitted jumper with a chili pepper design. She also wore green under-eye patches, partially concealed by large sunglasses.

Turner, a mother of three, carried an M&S Food bag and a black holdall as she prepared for further practice with Coppola. The pair achieved an impressive 27 points in their debut, receiving sevens from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke, and a six from Motsi Mabuse.

The first live show saw YouTuber John Nellis top the leaderboard with a Foxtrot, scoring 31 points with partner Katya Jones. Singer Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington secured second place with 29 points for their Samba.

In a recent interview with Prima magazine, Turner reflected on her participation in Strictly, humorously calling it a potential "midlife crisis" as she approaches 40. She expressed a desire to step out of her comfort zone and challenge herself, aiming to inspire her children by demonstrating that they can pursue their fears.

Turner also discussed her time away from her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, describing it as a welcome break to spend time with her children and pursue personal interests. While she expressed love for the show and hopes to return, she remains uncertain about the timing and the fate of her character.

She admitted to being nervous about the public seeing a different side of her beyond her character and the possibility of criticism. Despite her tap-dancing background, she acknowledged that ballroom dancing presents a distinct challenge and expressed a fear of vulnerability.