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.

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

NATALIE Cassidy could be set for a major reality TV appearance after her shock EastEnders exit. The Sun revealed yesterday that the Sonia Fowler actress was leaving the soap after 32 years and she

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has opened up about her decision to quit the BBC One soap after 32 years. Natalie, 41, has played Sonia Fowler since 1993 and just last week soap fans were devastated to learn she would be leaving Albert Square as part of the show's 40th anniversary, a decision she made in the summer.

Soap star Natalie Cassidy shocked EastEnders fans by announcing her departure after a 32-year run on the BBC show and now the odd have been revealed as to her next career move. The 41-year-old star has played Sonia Fowler since she was a mere 10 years old and has acted through countless gripping plotlines over decades in Albert Square but now she could potentially be heading to the wilds of the I'm A Celebrity jungle.

She’s best known to millions as EastEnders’ Sonia Fowler, but Natalie Cassidy is worlds away from her soap character in her latest project.  The actress – who announced last week she had quit the BBC soap after 32 years – is set to appear as a teacher in the second series of the popular comedy-drama Boarders.

From one EastEnders icon to another, Patsy Palmer has celebrated the achievements of Natalie Cassidy as she announced she was leaving the BBC One flagship soap after 32 years. Patsy posted a moving message to her Instagram account about Natalie's departure.