Natalie Cassidy haș shed some light on the reason why she decided to leave EastEnders after 32 years in the role of Sonia Fowler.
It was confirmed last week that Natalie would be leaving the BBC One soap, with her final scenes playing a pivotal role in the upcoming 40th anniversary.
‘I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited,’ she said in a statement at the time.
‘After another 11 solid years back on The Square, I have decided it’s time to move on to pastures new. EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career and I will continue to love the show.’
The soap star received an outpouring of support from cast members and fans alike, with pretty much everyone sad at the thought of saying goodbye to the legendary Sonia.
Natalie, 41, offered more insight into her reasons for deciding to leave in a new interview.
‘I’m 42 this year, I just feel like it’s time to be brave,’ she told The Sun.
‘You don’t want to get to 70 and think, ‘I never tried that’.
‘I’ve loved this programme with all my heart. I started at ten, it’s in my bones, it’s in my heart.’
Sonia’s exit storyline is being kept under wraps for the time being, but with the character hellbent on finding out where sister Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) is, the walls could finally close in on killer Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman)?
Reiss, as viewers know, killed wife Debbie, with Sonia subsequently jailed for the crime.
Sonia has no idea that Reiss is the one responsible, with the evil accountant having pinned the blame on Bianca, who he is holding captive at a lock-up.
