Sonia Fowler has a big decision to make in EastEnders as Natalie Cassidy’s emotional exit from the BBC soap looms.
She was recently confronted by her dad Terry Cant (Glen Davies), who made an unexpected return to her life this week.
It’s thrown Sonia’s future into question, as he asked her to move away with him, to start a new life.
Sonia has also been given food for thought by grieving Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), who has advised her that a fresh beginning away from tragedy-ridden Walford may be the way forward.
But knowing abusive Terry’s true nature, a concerned Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) confronted him, fearing for Sonia heading off with him.
When things turned nasty, a heated Terry grabbed Bianca’s arm hard, leaving it injured and confirming her worst suspicions – the violent thug hasn’t changed at all.
In a major episode to end the week of Sonia’s big departure, Bianca makes a plea to Sonia, showing her the bruises on her arm and insisting that Terry is dangerous and she can’t trust him.
Sonia is left thrown, having had recent tensions with her sister – but part of her may know that she speaks the truth.
As she confronts Terry about what she has been told, the narcissist manipulates the situation to try and win Sonia’s favour.
But then comes the big question – will she believe him and head into the sunset with her recently re-discovered dad?
Or is this the end of their relationship’s prospects, taking Sonia away for her future without him?
It remains to be seen, but the episode does spell the end for Natalie’s stint in the show after decades.
On her exit story, she mused: ‘It felt very final but also very good. It’s a nice place to leave Sonia after so much has happened to her. Sonia feels like she’s never going to live down what happened with Reiss, so the only thing to do is leave the Square.
‘I’m never going to say goodbye to her because, after 32 years, Sonia is ingrained in me! So, while I’m saying goodbye on screen, for now, Sonia is always there, knocking about!’
Patsy, who is currently a favourite in Celebrity Big Brother, has been integral to Sonia’s final arc – and Natalie couldn’t be happier with this.
‘Very much so! ‘I get on so well with Patsy and it was just lovely to be with her and have such a laugh,’ she smiled. ‘We have known each other for such a long time, and we are like sisters.’
But now it really is time to say farewell – and Natalie was reflective over what she will take away from the show. But as for a particular highlight – that’s impossible after over 30 years, despite her having a real love for the 90s icon that was the trumpet!
‘I haven’t got a fondest memory because my whole time being here is a fond memory.
‘EastEnders is a lovely place to work, and I’ve never had a bad moment, so I look back at it with great gratitude and joy.’
EastEnders airs these scenes on Thursday April 17 on BBC One, with the episode landing on BBC iPlayer at 7am.
