EASTENDERS fans are terrified for Stacey Slater after Theo Hawthorne began separating her from her friends.

The stalker – who is played by actor William Ellis in the BBC soap – has been secretly stalking and terrorising Stacey for months and now he wants to get rid of her friend and protector Eve Unwin.

Eve had been rocked this week by the arrival of the woman who killed her twin sister.

She was sent into a self-destructive spiral and ended up smashing up the kitchen just before Stacey’s daughter Lily’s social worker arrived.

The display left Stacey worried – and stalker Theo used that to his advantage.

Opening up to Theo, Stacey told him: “When I first met her I knew she needed someone to protect her. 

“Even today with Caz I told her not to go on your own, like a sister would say. And what does she do – she goes on her own and what happens.”

“Maybe you can’t replace her sister,” Theo said. “Maybe she doesn’t want a family?”

Stacey insisted that Eve does venting: “Eve is a loose cannon. She always has been, she’s unpredictable.”

But then Theo saw an opportunity to leave Stacey more isolated.

He asked: “And is unpredictable what you need in the house right now? 

“Eve’s great with the kids and you love her but you know… You should think about what you need. 

“Lily’s life is about to get very unpredictable over the next few months. I’ve worked with lots of complex families and I’m just looking out for her and the little baby.”

Theo’s sick manipulations worked and later Stacey had made a decision.

“Eve I love you but what did I say to you this morning? I’m your family and I know you better than anyone, why would you chuck that away?

“We cannot be living with some liability that flips out like that. I’m saying I don’t know if you can live here in this state while Lily is about to bring the most precious thing in this world.”

Eve was devastated and left, telling Stacey: “Thanks. Family.”

Outside she was a mess and fans are heartbroken for her – but they are also terrified for Stacey as Theo tightens his grip on her.

One wrote: “Theo is getting into Stacey’s head again.”

A second said: “Kicking Eve out isn’t necessary, idk why Stacey is listening to Theo.”

Another added: “I think Stacey need to be supporting Eve & not having a go at her.