UPDATE: |EastEnders fans ’emotional’ at Sonia Fowler’s hilarious callback as she leaves for good News

Sonia dreaded final EastEnders episode provided lots of laughs and tears

EastEnders fans said they were feeling ‘quite emotional’ as Sonia Fowler received a ‘full circle moment’ as she left the show.

It was announced at the beginning of the year that Natalie Cassidy would be saying goodbye to the role she had played since she was 10 in 1993.

Thursday’s episode of the BBC soap was a busy one for Sonia, who was debating whether to move to Bali with her long-lost dad Terry Cant.

Fans spent years demanding Terry make an appearance, with Sonia previously writing letters to him when she was a child.

Things looked to be finally looking up for the mum-of-two, when Terry arrived at her doorstep at the beginning of the week wanting to be in her life.

However, in scenes that aired on Thursday (April 17), Sonia learned that he had a violent outburst at her sister Bianca Jackson the night prior.

Unsure of what to do, Sonia visited Rocky Cotton in prison, who claimed to be her dad back in 2021 in a major scam.

In spite of what Rocky did, he and Sonia have remained on somewhat good terms as they provided each other the emotional support they needed.

Inspired by Rocky, Sonia told Terry that she wouldn’t be moving abroad with him, instead choosing to go be with her niece Whitney Dean.

Things took a turn for the worst when Terry exploded in rage and screamed at Sonia, only for Bex to push him into a garage and lock the door.

In a genius twist, Sonia’s eldest daughter had the plane tickets, with them deciding to go to Bali anyway, with Bianca in place of Terry.

While fans knew that Patsy Palmer was leaving soon, the BBC did not confirm that this was also serving as her exit storyline.

Sonia and Bianca sat in Terry’s speedboat that was connected to his car, which Bex drove off into the sunset as Julia’s theme played.

Referencing a fan favourite Sonia moment, she pulled out her trusted trumpet and played a tune to the delight of everyone hoping for a happy ending.

For those who don’t remember, Sonia was given the trumpet to play soon after joining the show, driving her friends and family demented with her poor playing skills.

Those watching at home took to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on Sonia’s farewell and the unlikely callback to the character’s past.

@trevorsbrady said: “I’ve never been one to care about the Jacksons but Sonia whipping her trumpet out for one last time made me quite emotional #EastEnders.” @SwampWitch97 added: “I’m actually laughing and crying at Sonia playing her trumpet HAHA iconic #EastEnders.”

@geordiegalg wrote: “Can we have a “best send off ever” category at the Soap Awards? Sonia’s will win hands down, such a brilliant episode. It had it all, from hearing Dot’s voice, the lovely surprise from Rocky and of course the trumpet.” @MJF_SZN posted: “Tonight’s EastEnders is so heart-warming loved the scenes between Sonia and Bianca and goodbye #EastEnders.”

@d_a_v_e_m_a commented: “Today’s episode was not actually abysmal; Dot’s speech opening the episode, lovely scene between Yolande and Avani, a surprise cameo from ***** and the return of Sonia’s trumpet. Gawjus.” @ratcliff_jake stated: “Sonia’s exit was so perfectly chaotic and glorious #eastenders.”