EastEnders fans have been left bereft after it was revealed Natalie Cassidy is leaving the soap for good after 32 years.

The 41-year-old actress, who has played trumpet playing Sonia Fowler on the BBC show for over three decades, will be saying goodbye to Walford in dramatic upcoming scenes. 

While details of Sonia’s departure haven’t been confirmed, bosses have revealed that Natalie will film her final scenes next month, coinciding with the show’s 40th anniversary week.

Announcing her exit, Natalie said: ‘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.’

With Sonia’s departure marking the end of an era for EastEnders fans, MailOnline takes a look back at some of her biggest moments on the soap. 

EastEnders star have been left bereft after it was revealed Natalie Cassidy is leaving the soap for good after 32 years playing Sonia Fowler (right, in 1999)

Now MailOnline takes a look back at some of her biggest moments on the soap, including stealing her baby Rebecca back after giving her up for adoption 

Stealing her adopted baby back

Shortly after arriving in Albert Square, Sonia began dating Martin Fowler. 

Unaware that she was pregnant, she unexpectedly gave birth to their daughter Chloe (later renamed Rebecca). 

Despite her protests, the baby was put up for adoption. 

However, Sonia became obsessed with her child and decided to abduct her, locking herself inside a house and ignoring the pleas of Rebecca’s adoptive parents. 

It was ultimately her step-grandmother, Dot Branning, who convinced her to return the baby.

Affair with Naomi Julien 

Sonia had an affair with Naomi Julien (Petra Letang) back in 2006 when she was unhappy in her marriage to Martin 

Unhappy in her marriage to Martin, Sonia sought comfort in her colleague, fellow nurse Naomi Julien.

The pair kissed on November 28, 2005, leading to a dramatic short-lived affair that was praised by viewers. 

However, after Rebecca was placed in Martin’s care following the death of Margaret, Sonia’s focus shifted, leaving Naomi feeling neglected and ending their relationship.

Speaking in 2010, Natalie reflected on the storyline, saying she believed it was the ‘wrong thing’ for Sonia’s character and a key reason for her decision to leave the soap in 2007.

She told Reveal: ‘One of the reasons I left was because of the lesbian storyline I had. I felt that it wasn’t right for Sonia – sometimes in soaps people are so keen to get a shocking story that the character gets forgotten.’

She added: ‘I’d only do it if I had an exciting storyline. I’d hate to go back and dwindle in the background – I’d like Sonia to cause a stir!’

Framed for murder  

Wendy Richard’s character, Pauline Fowler, left the soap in a dramatic Christmas Day episode in 2006 and for a time Sonia believed she was responsible  

Wendy Richard’s character, Pauline Fowler, left the soap in a dramatic Christmas Day episode in 2006. 

Her body was discovered in the snow in Albert Square, and for a time, Sonia believed she was responsible.

At the time, Sonia and Martin had divorced but still had feelings for each other. 

Pauline had lied to Martin, claiming she had a brain tumour to prevent him from reconciling with Sonia. 

During a heated argument, Sonia slapped Pauline, who later collapsed and died.

Sonia was arrested for murder, but it was later revealed that Pauline had actually been killed by her husband, Joe Macer. 

He had struck her over the head during a Christmas Day argument, leading to her death. 

Sonia was released from prison and ultimately left Walford with Martin for Manchester.

Cancer scare

Sonia discovered a lump in her breast. This was especially distressing as her mother, Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), had been diagnosed with breast cancer the previous year

Returning to EastEnders in 2010 and again in 2014, Sonia had a deeply emotional storyline when she discovered a lump in her breast.

This was especially distressing as her mother, Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), had been diagnosed with breast cancer the previous year.

Although Sonia was given the all-clear, the experience took a significant emotional toll, straining her relationships – including with Tina Carter. 

However, they managed to overcome their difficulties, with Sonia stepping up to care for Tina’s ailing mother, Sylvie Carter, and becoming her full-time carer.

Her daughter’s overdose

One of Sonia’s most heartbreaking storylines came when her daughter, Bex (Jasmine Armfield) attempted to die by suicide

One of Sonia’s most heartbreaking storylines came when her daughter, Bex (Jasmine Armfield) attempted to die by suicide.

Sonia found Bex, then 19, unresponsive in bed after an overdose. 

Struggling with guilt, Sonia blamed herself and Martin for not being present enough in their daughter’s life.

Bex, who was played by Jasmine Armfield, later revealed that she had been battling her mental health for some time and had previously taken pills to cope with exam stress. 

The storyline ended with Bex choosing to leave Walford in March 2020, deferring her place at the University of Oxford to go travelling.

Unsuccessful IVF treatment

In recent years, Sonia and her partner, Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman), have been on an emotional IVF journey after learning that Reiss couldn’t conceive naturally 

In recent years, Sonia and her partner, Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman), have been on an emotional IVF journey after learning that Reiss couldn’t conceive naturally. 

After previous disappointments, Sonia was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant.

However, tensions arose when Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) returned, causing constant clashes with Reiss. 

In a heated argument, Bianca accused Reiss of being unfit to be a father, leading him to demand that Sonia ask Bianca to move out.

Reiss took matters into his own hands, breaking the news himself – only for the argument to be interrupted when they found Sonia bleeding.

Rushed to the hospital, the trio anxiously awaited news, only to be devastated when doctors revealed Sonia had a blighted ovum.

Though the IVF treatment had initially worked, the embryo had failed to develop into a foetus, meaning there was no baby.

Pregnant with a murderer’s child

The character is currently pregnant with killer Reiss’ baby, unaware that he murdered his ex-wife Debbie, a crime Sonia was charged with

A jury found her not guilty after Reiss managed to produce a video of her sister, Bianca Butcher, falsely confessing to the killing

Sonia is currently pregnant with killer Reiss’ baby, unaware that he murdered his ex-wife Debbie, a crime Sonia was charged with.

A jury found her not guilty after Reiss managed to produce a video of her sister, Bianca Butcher, falsely confessing to the killing. 

As viewers know, it was actually her cruel fiancé who smothered his wife with a pillow in her private care home to give himself some financial freedom.