Natalie Cassidy has bagged herself a brand new job at Virgin Radio, ahead of her long-awaited exit from EastEnders after three decades.
The actress, 41, has starred as Sonia Fowler on the popular BBC One soap for 32 years, first appearing in 1993 when she was just 10 years old.
However, she announced she would be bidding goodbye to Albert Square for good in January after returning last year for the 40th anniversary, with her final scenes set to air on the show on Thursday’s episode.
But it seems she’s already made huge strides with her post-EastEnders career, taking to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal she’s taking to the airwaves with her own Easter show.
Speaking from the Virgin Radio studios, Natalie told fans that she would be hosting a special one-off show on Easter Monday from 1pm until 4pm.
She already has won many fans with her foray into the podcast world with Off The Telly, which she hosts with Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page.
Natalie Cassidy has bagged herself a brand new job at Virgin Radio, ahead of her long-awaited exit from EastEnders after three decades
The actress, 41, has starred as Sonia Fowler on the popular BBC One soap for 32 years, first appearing in 1993 when she was just 10 years old (pictured on show last week)
It seems she’s already made huge strides with her post-EastEnders career, taking to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal she’s taking to the airwaves with her own Easter show on Virgin
Ahead of the show, the soap star explained that she was trying to ‘branch out’ this year and be ‘brave’, as she gushed she was ‘honoured’ to get the opportunity.
Natalie said: ‘I’m very excited. This year I’m trying to branch out and do brave things, and this is one of them.
‘I feel very honoured to have been given a chance on Virgin Radio. I’m a very big fan of the station and music in general.
‘So to actually come in and do my own show feels very daunting, but there’s a first time for everything.’
She added: ‘I would love to play Oasis for my first show, just a track, because I love them to pieces. Amy Winehouse is always a good one as well. Valerie, it’s a karaoke family classic.’
While Dennie Morris, Director of Audio at News Broadcasting said: ‘It’s an honour to welcome national treasure Natalie Cassidy to Virgin Radio for this special show – and I’m delighted she’s such a big fan of the station.’
The exciting news comes just one day before EastEnders viewers will have to say farewell to Sonia, with her exit from Walford being shown in the next episode.
It will see her father Terry Cant (Glen Davies), return to the Square to invite her and her newborn daughter Julia to go live with him in Bali.
She already has won many fans with her foray into the podcast world with Off The Telly, which she hosts with Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page (pictured)
The exciting news comes just one day before EastEnders viewers will have to say farewell to Sonia, with her exit from Walford being shown in the next episode (seen with Patsy Palmer)
Natalie first joined EastEnders in 1993 and remained on the show until 2007, but made returns in 2010 and again last year.
It’s not the first time she has branched out beyond Albert Square in her career, previously using her breaks from the show to star in theatre productions of The Vagina Monologues and Bedroom Farce.
She also released a fitness DVD Natalie Cassidy’s Then and Now Workout in 2007 and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2012.
After announcing her departure, she admitted she was ‘extremely sad’ about the decision to move on and that she would ‘never forget’ the show.
In a statement given to The Sun, Natalie penned: ‘I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited. After another 11 solid years back on The Square, I have decided it’s time to move on to pastures new.
‘EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career and I will continue to love the show.
‘Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.’
However, she admitted in March that the door has not been permanently closed for Sonia, with the writers allowing the possibility of her making a return.
Natalie first joined EastEnders in 1993 at just 10 years old (pictured in 1999) and remained on the show until 2007, but made returns in 2010 and again last year
After announcing her departure, she admitted she was ‘extremely sad’ about the decision to move on and that she would ‘never forget’ the show
During an appearance on Saturday Kitchen, Natalie confirmed she had not been written out permanently, adding: ‘I’m very, very grateful that the door’s been left open. You never know. But it’s nice to rest characters as well.’
Reflecting on her long association with the soap, she said: ‘Sonia’s been around since 1993. People have grown up with her. It’s nice to have a rest.’
Referencing her previous eight-year break from the show, she quipped: ‘Who knows, maybe another eight years now’.
She also spoke about life in the public eye, saying fame was never something she actively pursued, but has become her normal after landing the role of Sonia at 10.
Natalie said: ‘I’ve never known any different. Can’t remember really not being recognised or being chatted to – it just sort of is what it is’
