EASTENDERS star Natalie Cassidy has officially departed the BBC show after more than 30 years as Sonia Fowler.
Her character was last seen playing the trumpet that her younger self was known for, as she left with her sister Bianca (played by Patsy Palmer).
BBCViewers saw the exit of Sonia Fowler and her sister Bianca Jackson[/caption] BBCThey praised the last scenes as Sonia played her trumpet for the final time[/caption]In January, the 41-year-old actress said she was “extremely sad” but “very excited” to announce she would be leaving the BBC soap.
Thursday’s episode showed Sonia (Natalie Cassidy), her daughters Bex (Jasmine Armfield) and newborn baby Julia head to Bali with her sister.
This was after they stole her estranged father Terry Cant’s (Glen Davies) plane tickets, car and boat.
Before leaving, Sonia left flowers for her ex-husband Martin (James Bye), who died after a metal beam collapsed on him following a fire at the Queen Vic pub during the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode.
Sonia was then persuaded to jump into the boat on the back of the trailer to depart Albert Square with Bianca.
After getting into the boat, Sonia was asked by the neighbours if she would be going to Bali.
She replied: “Well yeah, that’s where we’re going to start off, Bex is going to find us some visas and everything, and then we’re just going to wing it.”
Bianca then handed Sonia her trumpet as she exclaimed: “I’ve got an idea, look, for old times’ sake as we drive off, come on, it’ll be a laugh. You can put it in the bin when we get to Stansted.”
The character was known for her poor trumpet playing, which angered her family and neighbours, during her early days on the soap.
Sonia played the instrument as they finally left Walford, driven away by her daughter Bex, as the residents of Albert Square waved them off as Julia’s Theme played out.
Eastenders fans took to X – formerly known as Twitter in their droves – as they praised the highly-anticipated exit scenes.
One viewer exclaimed: “Why the hell am I crying at Sonia in a speedboat with a trumpet?!”
A second user stated: “Wasn’t expecting to be so emotional watching this. Bye Sonia and Bianca.”
While a third commented: “Sorry why am i actually still devo about sonia and bianca leaving”
Sonia Fowler’s biggest EastEnders storylines
Sonia Fowler has featured in EastEnders since 1993, and after starring in thousands of episodes, has been featured in storylines ranging from teenage pregnancy to a cancer scare. Here are some of her biggest.
Teen Pregnancy and Birth of Chloe Jackson (1999-2000)Sonia discovered she was pregnant at the age of 15. Viewers were shocked by the sudden birth, as the teen went into labour without even realising she was pregnant. Martin Fowler turned out to be Chloe’s father. Sonia initially decided to give the girl up for adoption. Death of her boyfriend (2002)Sonia’s boyfriend, Jamie Mitchell, was hit by a car driven by her baby’s father. Jamie had just bought an engagement ring for his girlfriend before being struck down by the thoughtless Martin, who was texting while driving. Although the Jamie was rushed to hospital, docs said his liver was irreparably damaged, and he ended up dying with Sonia by his side. Marriage to Martin Fowler and Family Tensions (2004-2007)In a shock twist Sonia went on to marry the man responsible for her previous boyfriend’s death. Their relationship was marred by conflicts and infidelity, and they went on to split up after just three years. At one point in their marriage Sonia was taken hostage by Sarah Cairns, who became obsessed with Martin after he flirted with her during a drunken night out. The couple went through struggles again when the adoptive parents of their daughter were killed in a car crash, leaving them responsible for Rebecca. Because of the tension in their relationship Sonia ended up cheating on her husband with one of her co-workers, nurse Naomi Julien. Custody Battle for Rebecca (2005-2007)Baby Chloe, who was renamed Rebecca, was kidnapped by her mum early in life before being returned to her adoptive parents. After Neil and Sue Miller died they awarded Martin full custody of the child because of Sonia’s extra-marital affair. The mum was left distraught to be cut out of her daughter’s life. Gastric Band Surgery and Weight Struggles (2014-2015)Sonia became insecure about her weight and arranged to have a secret gastric band surgery in Bulgaria. She later collapsed at an exercise class after suffering complications from the operation. Discovery of Bex’s Suicide Attempt (2019)Sonia’s daughter Rebecca tried to take her own life in a heartbreaking storyline which left viewers in tears. She found Bex unconscious after taking an overdose, and was devastated. Sonia blamed herself for pushing her daughter to breaking point, as she had tried to force her into going to Oxford despite Bex saying she didn’t feel ready for university.“I am CRYING over tiktok edits of Sonia, Bianca, and Bex leaving. I’m certifiable at this point,” wrote someone else.
As an additional fan posted: “That was a really lovely exit for Sonia and Bianca, glad they got Julia’s Theme! I really hope it isn’t years and years until we see them again.”
And a sixth added: “Crying at tonight’s episode of Eastenders. It was a perfect send off for Sonia, Bianca and Bex.”
It came after a touching opening scene which saw Sonia listen to a recording of her step-grandmother Dot Branning, who was played by the late June Brown, while she packed up her belongings.
You can put it [the trumpet] in the bin when we get to Stansted.
Bianca JacksonEastEndersIn the recording, an emotional Dot could be heard saying: “What did that little girl ever do to live a life of losing everything she ever loved.
“She didn’t do nothing, she just wanted someone to love her, to care for her, to pin her drawings on the wall.
“And I’m sitting here and I’m still alone, and out there a light, and behind the windows little girls are being tucked up by their mummies and told stories, and sung to, and they feel happy, and safe, and wanted.
“And I’m still here, and I have to go out that door and face the world, and everyone I see has got someone.
EastEnders stars who QUIT
MICHELLE Collins has seen her second EastEnders stint boost her bank balance. Yet what stars have quit this year?
The Sun exclusively reported how Michelle, 62, was down to £20,000 in her company accounts when she agreed to a shock back-from-the-dead return to Albert Square last year.
Her character, Cindy Beale, was presumed dead off-camera in 1998.
Yet what about the 2024 exits?
Earlier this summer, loyal soap fans appeared to note how Stevie Mitchell had “quit” the long-running series.
It came after Alan Ford enjoyed just six-months on-screen.
Bobby Beale actor Clay Milner Russell also left this year after five years in Walford.
Fans also feared Martin Fowler actor James Bye would “quit out of boredom” over recent storylines.
Additionally, a host of stars have quit the BBC soap for Hollywood fame.
One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.
He played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.
Ben Hardy, who quit EastEnders as Bobby Beale almost a decade ago, went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay’s Netflix movie 6 Underground.
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater until 2005.
She starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.
“The worst part is seeing them complaining and fighting amongst themselves, and they don’t know what they’ve got.”
Cassidy made her first appearance in the soap in 1993, leaving in 2007, before returning briefly between 2010 and 2011, and later coming back to Walford in 2014.
Palmer, who is currently a contestant on ITV‘s Celebrity Big Brother, also left the show after her return last year, which saw her reunited with her father David Wicks, played by Michael French.
BBCBianca and Sonia left the square in Sonia’s estranged father’s boat[/caption] BBCThe rest of Albert Square gave them a send off as they waved them to the airport[/caption] BBCViewers were in tears as they took to social media in droves[/caption]EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
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