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.

The 41-year-old actress, who plays Sonia Fowler, said she is "extremely sad" but also "very excited" to leave the BBC soap. Her exit will be part of the programme's 40th anniversary.

From teenage bullying to placing daughter Rebecca up for adoption, losing her true love Jamie Mitchell (Jack Ryder) in a road-traffic accident, to her recent imprisonment, she hasn’t had much reason to smile – which is a crying shame, if you pardon the pun.

Natalie Cassidy is quitting her role as Sonia Jackson on BBC soap EastEnders after 32 years of playing the iconic Walford character - and will be giving up a reported huge salary

Natalie Cassidy is saying a tearful goodbye to EastEnders and the iconic Sonia Jackson character after a remarkable 32-year stint in Albert Square. The drama doesn't end as her character, Sonia, who is expecting the child of murderer Reiss Colwell,

EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy is set to leave the soap, but the actress who plays Sonia Fowler has also led an interesting personal life - here we take a look at her family and relationships

Soap icon Natalie Cassidy has decided to step away from EastEnders after 32 years as she issued a cryptic statement announcing her shock move as she sets her eyes on new projects

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EastEnders fans are fearing the worst after it was confirmed that Sonia Fowler actress Natalie Cassidy had quit her role after more than 30 years on the BBC soap