BBC EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy hits out at bosses as final scene was cut
Natalie Cassidy left EastEnders earlier this year after 30 years in the role of Sonia Fowler but she says show bosses decided against airing an emotional goodbye to Phil Mitchell
Natalie Cassidy revealed a big moment was left out from her character’s exit(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Soap icon Natalie Cassidy has opened up about her EastEnders exit – and she isn’t satisfied by how BBC bosses handled her goodbye.
The 41-year-old, known for her long-running character Sonia Fowler, bid farewell to the show earlier this year following an impressive three-decade stint on the Square. Fans recently witnessed Sonia’s dramatic Walford exit via a speedboat, complete with her trademark trumpet in tow.
But it wasn’t the perfect goodbye. It appears the writers decided against showing an emotional scene between Sonia and Phil Mitchell, who bonded over the sudden d.e.a.t.h of Jamie, who d.i.e.d on Christmas Day in 2002 after being struck by a car driven by his rival Martin Fowler.
Sonia and Phil Mitchell have history!(Image: BBC)
“It was Sonia and Phil, and me and Phil just having a moment in the Square. I didn’t see it. I might have to go back and have a look. I’d be really cross [if it was cut] because it was a really nice scene.” Natalie added: “I’ve had loads of DMs and messages and stuff just saying how people have shed a tear, but a happy tear. It was nice and joyful, it wasn’t sort of depressing, and [I] didn’t leave in a black cab, it was just fun.”
After her exit from EastEnders, Natalie shared her desire to explore “other projects” but felt it “wasn’t fair” to request time off from the producers for filming. Speaking to Bella magazine, she said: “I left because I felt the time was right to do so. I was ready for a change, after 32 years.
“And EastEnders is a factory with 60 cast members and 300 staff so they can’t cater for someone who says, ‘By the way, I need two months off to do this, another three months off to do this’. It’s not fair. It had to be a clean break so I could focus on other projects and spend time with my family, which I haven’t been doing in recent months.”
Post-EastEnders life has been bustling for Natalie with several new ventures. The star excitedly broke the news last month about her upcoming book, Happy Days, which is set to give readers a glimpse into her experience balancing life as a mother.
Natalie also took to the airwaves with a special segment on Virgin Radio. Chatting about her foray into radio with Joanna, Natalie replied: “It was really good. It was nerve-racking, but again, it’s just another thing to tick off the list. A little bucket list of firsts, but it was good.”
