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.

BBC EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has announced she is quitting the hit soap after 31 years of playing Sonia

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

Natalie Cassidy is set to bid farewell to EastEnders, nearly 32 years since her first appearance. The 41 year old actress, better known as Sonia Fowler, will depart from Walford next month during the soap's 40th anniversary celebrations.