Natalie Cassidy has broken her silence on her EastEnders exit following Sonia Fowler’s emotional scenes which aired last night. Earlier this year it was revealed that Natalie would be leaving the soap after 32 years.
Last night she was seen leaving the Square with daughter Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) and sister Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) as they headed off to Bali. Now, she’s revealed how she really feels about leaving Albert Square as she ‘teased’ her character’s future.
In a behind the scenes video posted to the official EastEnders Instagram account after the scenes aired, Natalie said: “So the day and time has come for Sonia to leave the Square. It’s all a bit last minute, it’s all a bit of a rush but it’s time for a new adventure.”
Patsy, who was also filming her final scenes added: “To be leaving with her [Natalie Cassidy] on her storyline is absolutely amazing. It just feels really special and lovely.”
After an emotional speech from executive producer Chris Clenshaw, Natalie gave her own speech to the rest of the cast. “You know how much I live you all, I’m really going to miss you all, and I really don’t like speeches so thank you,” she said.
Thanking fans at the end of the video, Natalie teased it may not be the end for Sonia as she said: “Thank you for watching Sonia, I love her with all my heart and you never know what’s going to happen.” She then assured fans she’ll still be watching the show, as she’s “the show’s biggest fan”.
Fans were over the moon that Sonia and Bianca finally got their happy ending – with some surprises along the way. Before heading off to Bali, Sonia went to visit Rocky Cotton in prison, who she previously thought was her father.
It marked a surprise return for Brian Conley who left the show in 2023. Writing about his exit at the time on social media, the actor penned: “Well Rocky, you pretended to be Sonia’s Dad, Had two heart attacks, Married Kathy Beale, Met the King of England, Your best mate’s with Harry Redknapp, You blew up the café, and had a pet parrot called Jasper. Gonna miss you, you old rascal. X.”
However, he wasn’t the only “familiar voice” to return for Sonia’s final episode. Dot Cotton made a return of sorts as viewers heard Dot’s voice onscreen for the first time in a long while, and fans were left in tears.
Dot died offscreen in a heartbreaking plot back in 2022, with Walford gathering to say goodbye.
June Brown who played Dot had passed away earlier that year leaving fans and her co-stars devastated.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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