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.

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Natalie Cassidy is quitting her role as Sonia Jackson on BBC soap EastEnders after 32 years of playing the iconic Walford character - and will be giving up a reported huge salary

Some of Sonia’s biggest storylines include her being bullied by her friend Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix) after she fell in with the wrong crowd at school, and her teenage pregnancy with later-husband Martin Fowler (Jon Peyton-Price/James Alexandrou).

EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy is set to leave the soap, but the actress who plays Sonia Fowler has also led an interesting personal life - here we take a look at her family and relationships

Soap icon Natalie Cassidy has decided to step away from EastEnders after 32 years as she issued a cryptic statement announcing her shock move as she sets her eyes on new projects

EastEnders Natalie Cassidy revealed this week she has quit the soap - and fans are certain it's not going to end well for her character Sonia Fowler

EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy to leave BBC soap after more than 30 years as Sonia Fowler - Her final scenes will air in the show’s 40th anniversary week

EastEnders fans are fearing the worst after it was confirmed that Sonia Fowler actress Natalie Cassidy had quit her role after more than 30 years on the BBC soap