EastEnders fans will say goodbye to a true legend next week as Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) prepares to leave Walford for good.
It has been a traumatic few months for Sonia, whose twisted fiancé Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) let her go down for the m.u.r.d.e.r of his comatose wife Debbie, who he’d smothered to d.e.a.t.h in her care home bed.
He then held Sonia’s sister Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) hostage when she found out the truth about his involvement. But he then met a somewhat darkly comical end when he was k.i.l.l.e.d by a falling bathtub in the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion in February – just as Sonia was going into labour with their daughter Julia.
Sonia and Bianca have both struggled in the aftermath of the ordeal, especially as Sonia’s beloved first husband Martin Fowler (James Bye) was also k.i.l.l.e.d in the blast.
The siblings’ relationship also hits the rocks this week when Sonia finds out Bianca has gone against her wishes and given an interview to a true-crime podcaster about their trauma at Reiss’ hands.
Things begin to build towards Sonia’s forthcoming exit in scenes to air next week, following actress Natalie Cassidy’s decision to quit the BBC soap after 32 years.
The week begins with Sonia in a state of fury as local gossips Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) and Mo Harris (Laila Morse) bring a tour of true-crime fans to her door, and blames Bianca for the increased interest in them.
However, Sonia and her daughter Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) are unaware that a man from the tour remains fixated on No.25…
Later, Bianca returns home to face the music having been turfed out of her best friend Kat Slater’s (Jessie Wallace) flat, but Sonia orders her to leave.
After some words from Bex, Sonia is encouraged to take a more sympathetic view towards her sister and they soon make amends after Sonia finds Bianca having in panic attack in the Square Gardens after being accosted by ‘fans’.
Heading to Harry’s Barn for a drink, Bianca is further spooked when she believes an overzealous fan is watching them and chases him to the playground where his identity is soon revealed and he requests an audience with Sonia.
But who is this mystery man, and what does he want with Sonia?
As we return to Walford on Tuesday, Sonia is still reeling after the truth is revealed. And after her uncle Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) also gets word of what has happened, he gives her some advice that leaves her pondering whether it’s time to say goodbye to Walford.
Still weighing things up, Sonia goes in search of Martin’s other ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and the two women share a warm moment as they support each other in their time of need.
Will it be Stacey’s words that push Sonia to leave Albert Square behind?
Upon announcing her decision to quit her role as Sonia earlier this year, Natalie Cassidy 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 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.’
