UPDATE: |Natalie Cassidy speaks out on EastEnders exit and teases ‘you never know what’s going to happen’ News

The 41-year-old actress has bowed out of the BBC soap after playing Sonia Fowler on and off for 32 years

Natalie Cassidy has teased a possible EastEnders return after her final scenes aired after more than three decades.

The 41-year-old actress has bowed out of the BBC soap after playing Sonia Fowler on and off for 32 years but after her final scenes aired on Thursday (April 17) Natalie insisted that her alter-ego could return to Albert Square.

In a video shared on the official EastEnders Instagram page, Natalie told fans: “Thank you for watching Sonia, I love her with all my heart and you never know what’s going to happen.”

She also insisted she will still watch ‘EastEnders’ as she is “the show’s biggest fan”.

The video featured a behind-the-scenes look at Natalie’s last day and she could be heard sharing her thoughts on her departure.

In the video, she 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. You know how much I love you all, I’m really going to miss you all, and I really don’t like speeches so thank you.”

Patsy Palmer – who played Sonia’s sister Bianca Jackson – also left the show as their alter-egos departed for Bali with Sonia’s daughter Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) and she said: “To be leaving with her [Natalie Cassidy] on her storyline is absolutely amazing. It just feels really special and lovely.”

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 hark back 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 wrote: “I’m actually laughing and crying at Sonia playing her trumpet HAHA iconic #EastEnders.”

@MJF_SZN posted: “Tonight’s EastEnders is so heart-warming loved the scenes between Sonia and Bianca and goodbye #EastEnders.” @ratcliff_jake added “Sonia’s exit was so perfectly chaotic and glorious #eastenders.”

Meanwhile, Natalie decided to leave EastEnders – which she first joined at the age of 10 – to spend more time with her daughters Eliza, 14, and Joanie, eight, and previously admitted that it did feel as if she was “saying goodbye” to Sonia for good this time.

She told Radio Times magazine: “A fresh start starts to feel appealing. It’s good to rest a character, though this time I felt I was really saying goodbye.”