EASTENDERS’ Natalie Cassidy has spoken for the first time about her shock decision to quit the soap after 32 years, insisting: “It’s time to be brave.” The mum of two, who has played Sonia Fowler

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has opened up about her decision to quit the BBC One soap after 32 years. Natalie, 41, has played Sonia Fowler since 1993 and just last week soap fans were devastated to learn she would be leaving Albert Square as part of the show's 40th anniversary, a decision she made in the summer.

Natalie Cassidy quit 'EastEnders' because it is "time to be brave". The 41-year-old actress, who has played Sonia Fowler on and off on the BBC soap for almost 32 years has decided to bow out next month amid the soap's 40th anniversary celebrations and said she is leaving to try new things.

Actress Natalie Cassidy is to leave EastEnders, more than three decades after her first appearance on the soap as Sonia Fowler. In a statement the 41-year-old said she was "extremely sad" but also "very excited" to be moving on.

Patsy Palmer has paid tribute to EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy after the actress announced she would be leaving the BBC soap after more than 30 years. Palmer, 52, who plays Bianca Jackson, the on-screen half-sister of Cassidy’s character Sonia Fowler,

EastEnders fans are convinced that Sonia Fowler will be killed off after Natalie Cassidy quit the BBC soap this week after nearly 32 years on the soap as the trumpet-playing character