Actress Natalie Cassidy, best known for her role as Sonia Fowler on BBC's EastEnders, is leaving the show after 32 years. Her departure has reportedly left BBC bosses reeling as they had hoped she would fill the void left by the late June Brown, who played Dot Cotton. Cassidy's decision to leave is attributed to her growing profile outside of the soap opera, making her 'too big' for EastEnders.
Natalie Cassidy , the 41-year-old actress known for her role as Sonia Fowler on BBC 's EastEnders, has announced her departure from the long-running soap opera . Cassidy's exit comes after a brief return to the show last year for its 40th anniversary. She first joined EastEnders in 1993 at the age of 10 and remained a part of the cast until 2007. She made subsequent returns in 2010 and again last year.
The actress's character, Sonia Fowler, is a beloved fan favorite, and according to The Sun, BBC bosses are 'well aware of Natalie's popularity'. A source told the publication: 'Her much-loved character has been a mainstay of Albert Square for over 30 years, and they envisioned her filling the huge hole left by Dot by becoming the Walford stalwart and busybody, who locals would go to for gossip and also advice. Dot was played by the late June Brown, who was the nation's sweetheart in the iconic BBC soap for nearly 40 years. The source added: 'But incredibly, despite being engrossed by EastEnders for three quarters of her life, Natalie has managed to grow a profile outside of the soap and has become too big for it.' Cassidy's final scenes are expected to be filmed next month around the 40th anniversary week. Reports suggest that Sonia's departure may involve a dramatic storyline, potentially even her death, to give viewers a memorable send-off. Cassidy has made no secret of her ambition to expand beyond the world of Albert Square. During her breaks from EastEnders, she has showcased her versatility in various projects, including theatre productions, a fitness DVD, appearances on reality television, and more recently, roles in sitcoms. In her personal life, Cassidy has been in a long-term relationship with BBC cameraman Marc Humphreys since 2014. While they are engaged, the actress has admitted that she is a bit of a 'snob' when it comes to planning her wedding, preferring high-end experiences and meticulous details
Television Natalie Cassidy Eastenders BBC Sonia Fowler Departure June Brown Dot Cotton Albert Square Television Soap Opera
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