EastEnders fans waved an emotional goodbye on Thursday night as Sonia Fowler, played by Natalie Cassidy, left Albert Square after more than three decades on and off the BBC soap.
The 41-year-old actress first appeared on the show in 1993 as a trumpet-playing schoolgirl and has been a fixture of the Square ever since. Her final episode paid tribute to the character’s early days, as Sonia reluctantly played her infamous trumpet one last time while leaving Walford in a boat attached to a stolen trailer.
In a dramatic and heartfelt farewell, Sonia departed with her daughter Bex (Jasmine Armfield), her newborn baby Julia, and close friend Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), setting off for Bali after stealing her late father Terry Cant’s (Glen Davies) plane tickets, car, and boat.
“Well yeah, that’s where we’re going to start off,” Sonia said when asked if they were really headed to Bali. “Bex is going to find us some visas and everything, and then we’re just going to wing it.”
Bianca, cheeky as ever, handed Sonia her trumpet and said:
“For old times’ sake as we drive off, come on, it’ll be a laugh. You can put it in the bin when we get to Stansted.”
As they were driven away by Bex, neighbours and friends waved them off, closing the chapter on one of the soap’s most beloved characters.
A Touching Tribute to Dot
Sonia’s final scenes opened on an emotional note as she listened to a recording of her step-grandmother Dot Branning, voiced by the late June Brown. In a moving monologue, Dot reflected on loneliness and the desire to be loved — sentiments that resonated deeply with Sonia’s character arc through the years.
“She didn’t do nothing, she just wanted someone to love her, to care for her,” Dot’s voice echoed as Sonia packed her belongings for the last time.
A Lifetime of Drama
Over the years, Sonia’s character experienced a range of memorable storylines, from being bullied by schoolmate Clare Bates, to a teenage pregnancy with Martin Fowler, whom she later married. The pair’s relationship ended tragically earlier this year when Martin died of cardiac arrest after a metal beam fell on him following a fire at the Queen Vic during the show’s 40th anniversary live episode.
Cassidy first left the soap in 2007 but returned for brief stints before rejoining the cast full-time in 2014.
In January, Cassidy announced her departure, saying she was “extremely sad” to be leaving but also “very excited” for what comes next.
End of an Era
The episode also marks the exit of Bianca Jackson, portrayed by Patsy Palmer, who returned last year to reunite with her father David Wicks (Michael French). Palmer is currently appearing on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother.
Fans took to social media to share their love for Sonia and thank Cassidy for her years of dedication to the role. Her departure adds to a growing list of long-standing soap characters making emotional exits, marking the end of an era for EastEnders.
If you missed Sonia’s final appearance, the episode is available now on BBC iPlayer.
