EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy is to leave the BBC soap after more than 30 years playing Sonia Fowler. The 41-year-old said she was "extremely sad" but "very excited" to be leaving, with the BBC confirming her final scenes would take place around the series 40th anniversary week beginning 17 February..

After three decades of the iconic Sonia Fowler, Natalie Cassidy is waving goodbye to Walford. The actress, who made her EastEnders debut back in 1993, has quit the BBC One soap after 32 years.

EastEnders Natalie Cassidy revealed this week she has quit the soap - and fans are certain it's not going to end well for her character Sonia Fowler

Actress Natalie Cassidy is to leave EastEnders, more than three decades after her first appearance on the soap as Sonia Fowler. In a statement the 41-year-old said she was "extremely sad" but also "very excited" to be moving on.

Following the sudden news Natalie Cassidy is leaving EastEnders, fans of the BBC One soap have seemingly worked out how her character Sonia Fowler will leave. Star Natalie, who made her EastEnders debut back in 1993,

Long-time EastEnders star to leave soap after 32 years - ‘I have decided it's time to move on,’ BBC soap star said

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy is set to leave the BBC soap after nearly 32 years of playing Sonia Jackson. The 41-year-old actress, who first joined the show in 1993 at the age of ten, has announced her departure from Albert Square.