Natalie Cassidy shares seven-word comment as her explosive EastEnders exit teased

Cast member Natalie Cassidy has teased over EastEnders’ 40th anniversary ahead of her departure from the soap.

The long-running BBC show will mark the occasion later this month with the celebrations including a live episode in two weeks. It’s previously been teased that events in it will “change Walford and the lives of those who live in it forever”.

Last month, it was announced that Natalie, 41 – who plays Sonia Fowler – will be leaving EastEnders in the coming weeks. Her character is said to have a “central role” in the anniversary and there’s speculation that Sonia – who first appeared in 1993 – could be killed off amid the occasion.

Ahead of the anniversary, a promotional photo showing a number of characters stood outside the Queen Vic in Albert Square has been released. Flames are seen inside and outside the pub, following previous reports that there will be a devastating fire in upcoming scenes on the show.

Sonia is among the more than two dozen characters in the photo, with her stood beside her partner Reiss Colwell (played by Jonny Freeman) and her sister Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer). Natalie shared the photo on her Instagram Story on Saturday and teased in a message to fans in the accompanying caption: “You lot are in for a TREAT.”

The promo photo features a host of characters like Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) – all of whom are expected to have central roles in the anniversary. Others include Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).

Announcing her departure, Natalie had said in a statement: “I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited. 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. Thank you to [executive producer] Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.”

Executive producer Chris has teased that the actor will have a “central role” in the anniversary. He said: “I won’t be revealing the [minute] details relating to her exit, but I can say that she will take a central role in the 40th anniversary storylines in a week of truly unmissable drama that will change the lives of those in Walford forever.”

Some fans have expressed concern that Sonia could be killed off on the show. One person wrote on X: “What do you think her exit is going to be? I hope she doesn’t die.” Another said: “Hopefully she saves Bianca and gives birth to a healthy baby and they leave the Square together. Sonia can’t die.” A third wrote: “Hoping [bosses] don’t kill Sonia Fowler off in the Queen Vic explosion.”

EastEnders continues Monday night from 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.