As always, it’s not going to be a very Merry Christmas in Albert Square this year.
EastEnders bosses have already confirmed that at least one major character will be killed off during the festive period.
And now it has been revealed that Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) is also set to face her most heartbreaking Christmas ever.
Bradley Branning’s widow will give birth to her baby just before Christmas - and viewers will immediately see the beginning of Stacey’s experience of postpartum psychosis.
As EastEnders viewers are aware, Stacey Branning was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2009. Although postpartum psychosis can affect a woman without pre-existing mental health issues, it is more likely to affect a mother who has bipolar disorder.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the soap’s executive producer, said: “Stacey's mental health story will be one of our biggest storylines over Christmas and the beginning of 2016 as we explore Stacey's bipolar disorder and its effects on her and those closest to her.
“We have always had a big commitment to Stacey's story and this time we want to explore the effects of postpartum psychosis on those with bipolar - something which, although a rare illness, is unfortunately more common when mothers with bipolar give birth - and look at what we are doing as a country to help mothers experiencing this.
“EastEnders have worked closely with Mind, Bipolar UK, other experts in the field and women with personal experience to show a story that is true and painful while also filled with the usual twists and turns viewers have come to expect from EastEnders.”
Praising the talented actress who portray Stacey, he added: “Lacey is one of the most raw and intuitive actresses on television and it's exciting to watch her getting her teeth into a really intense storyline as Stacey battles against the world.
“With the truth about Stacey's baby's parentage bubbling underneath and the final reveal of the meaning of Stacey's key, this story is going to place Stacey right in the centre of a very big storm...”
Alison Kerry, Head of Media at Mind UK, added: “We are pleased EastEnders is tackling another important, often misunderstood, mental health problem.
"Although very rare, postpartum psychosis is an incredibly serious illness that can affect a woman with or without pre-existing mental health problems just after birth.
"It is so important that we are raising awareness about this subject through the medium of soap as it brings the issue into the living rooms of a massive audience helping us to challenge stigma and improve understanding.”
Lacey and EastEnders have won numerous awards over the years for their portrayal of Stacey’s mental health issues, so we have no doubt that the storyline will be tackled sensitively and raise awareness of another important health issue face by new mothers.