Natalie Cassidy announced she would be leaving her role of Sonia Jackson on the BBC soap, leaving fans devastated as she departs her role after three decades

EastEnders fans were left shocked on Thursday night as Natalie Cassidy confirmed she is leaving the BBC One soap, 32 years after she made her Albert Square debut. Show boss Chris Clenshaw has teased Natalie's character Sonia Fowler has a "central role" to play in the soap's upcoming 40th anniversary week,

Patsy Palmer, famous for playing Bianca Jackson in EastEnders, has paid tribute to Natalie Cassidy, who portrayed Sonia Fowler for nearly 32 years.

Actress Natalie Cassidy is to leave EastEnders, more than three decades after her first appearance on the soap as Sonia Fowler. In a statement the 41-year-old said she was "extremely sad" but also "very excited" to be moving on.

Patsy Palmer has paid tribute to EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy after the actress announced she would be leaving the BBC soap after more than 30 years. Palmer, 52, who plays Bianca Jackson, the on-screen half-sister of Cassidy’s character Sonia Fowler,

EastEnders fans are convinced that Sonia Fowler will be killed off after Natalie Cassidy quit the BBC soap this week after nearly 32 years on the soap as the trumpet-playing character