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Real reason Natalie Cassidy's shock exit has left BBC bosses reeling
NOT that she’d ever wish to blow her own trumpet, but Natalie Cassidy is East- Enders’ most popular star. And following The Sun’s exclusive story on Thursday revealing the actress’s departure from …
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NOT that she’d ever wish to blow her own trumpet, but Natalie Cassidy is East- Enders’ most popular star.
And following The Sun’s exclusive story on Thursday revealing the actress’s departure from the BBC One soap, producers now face a major problem — how do you replace Sonia Fowler?
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Natalie Cassidy is EastEnders’ most popular starCredit: Camera Press6
Natalie’s screen character has given us heartbreak, tears, laughter and raw emotionCredit: BBCKnown for her questionable trumpeting skills — an in-joke with viewers which the show’s writers have often alluded to — Natalie’s screen character has given us heartbreak, tears, laughter and raw emotion during her 32 years on the show, throughout which she has been pure entertainment.
According to insiders, that’s not the only reason her shock decision has left Albert Square chiefs reeling.
They were quietly hoping to turn her into the new Dot Branning, played for four decades until 2020 by the late June Brown, by potentially developing her role into an effective “job for life” on the show.
The insider said: “Bosses are well aware of Natalie’s popularity.
Read more on Natalie Cassidy“Her much-loved character has been a mainstay of Albert Square for over 30 years, and they envisioned her filling the huge hole left by Dot by becoming the Walford stalwart and busybody, who locals would go to for gossip and also advice.
“But incredibly, despite being engrossed by EastEnders for three quarters of her life, Natalie has managed to grow a profile outside of the soap and has become too big for it.”
The insider added: “Natalie’s so well loved she’s in the unique position of being missed by viewers even more so than the writers.”
Natalie, 41, joined EastEnders at the age of ten, as one of the notorious Jackson clan, dubbed the “family from hell”, alongside Patsy Palmer and Dean Gaffney, her screen siblings Bianca and Robbie, and their dog Wellard.
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Together they all went on to become cult figures on Albert Square, with Natalie handling a number of huge storylines during her stint on the soap.
EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy reveals she was snubbed for iconic Gavin and Stacey role after auditioning for partThese included a teen pregnancy, coming out as a lesbian and most recently, charged — and then acquitted — of killing Debbie, the comatose wife of villainous Reiss Colwell.
He is currently holding Bianca hostage in his lock-up, having forced her to record a video message fessing up to the crime that he committed.
While many female soap stars tend to veer towards battleaxes, divas and sex sirens, Sonia’s normality has always been considered her character’s biggest asset.
It’s also why viewers can relate to her, and why they also seem to blur the lines between the character and the actress.
While the soap’s bosses continue to litter Walford with glamorous girls and wannabe Cockney gangsters, Sonia has always represented the viewer, somebody people can relate to among the hammed-up personalities.
And given her occupation as a nurse, she is often seen patching them all up.
Her humour and turn of phrase has also helped to establish her as a fan favourite, a skill which perhaps only very recently has begun to be appreciated.
Indeed, outside the soap, Natalie has become a cult figure by showcasing her comedy talents on social media and has racked up an impressive 500,000 followers on Instagram.
This has led to the launch of her own podcast, Life With Nat, and a separate BBC Sounds offering called Off The Telly, alongside Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page, in which the pair review the latest TV.
Her dream beyond EastEnders is to be given a prominent role in a big comedy series.
She has previously dipped her toes in TV’s comedy waters with cameo appearances in BBC shows Psychoville in 2009 alongside Dawn French, Motherland in 2021 and Boarders, which will air later this month.
Last year Natalie revealed she was desperate to appear in a project made by one of her comedy heroes, Ricky Gervais, but is worried that her dedication to EastEnders over the years may have acted as a barrier to her ambition.
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Enders' Sonia in court charged with killing DebbieCredit: BBC6
Natalie Cassidy and Vincent Simone on Strictly Come DancingCredit: BBCShe said: “It’s my dream. I watch (Ricky’s comedies) After Life and Derek and I’m like, ‘Why haven’t I done that? Why can’t I be on things like that?’ ”
But thankfully for Natalie, the co-creator of The Office has now signed her up to star in his latest Netflix series, an animated comedy about cats.
Natalie will voice one of the moggies, joining Ricky’s select group of comedy co-stars, which include Kerry Godliman, Diane Morgan, Joe Wilkinson and David Earl, who regularly star in his programmes.
And it’s Natalie’s desire to push herself more into comedy which has sparked her decision to walk away from her £150,000-a-year job on EastEnders.
A source close to her said: “Comedy has always been her big passion, it’s all she watches on TV.
“Working with Ricky is an absolute dream come true and removing herself from the gruelling daily grind of EastEnders will open the door to similar opportunities.
“And the interest is there, which is why she’s walking away now.”
Natalie has previously taken breaks from the soap to focus on her career beyond Walford, as well as giving birth to daughters Eliza, 14, with ex-partner Adam Cottrell, and Joanie, nine, with cameraman husband Marc Humphreys.
In 2011 Cottrell was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work for attacking Natalie at their Hertfordshire home. After making up they became engaged, but split up for good in 2013.
Away from Albert Square she released a DVD, Natalie Cassidy’s Then & Now Workout in 2007, and the following year she hosted a BBC3 documentary, Natalie Cassidy’s Diet Secrets.
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Bosses wanted Natalie to be the new Don CottonCredit: Alamy6
Joanna Page and Natalie on their new TV podcastIn 2009 she appeared in Strictly Come Dancing, partnering Vincent Simone and finishing fifth, and Celebrity Big Brother in 2012, a largely forgettable appearance, thanks to Denise Welch’s topless frolics in a hot tub with former X Factor bad boy Frankie Cocozza.
Judging by her EastEnders exit statement, Natalie’s latest departure feels more final and will be factored into the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations this month, which will also see the return of some legendary characters, including Grand Mitchell, played by Ross Kemp.
Natalie said: “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 (executive producer) 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.”
So how will Sonia bow out of EastEnders?
Showrunner Chris, who will leave the soap himself later this year, said she will take a “central role” in the soap’s 40th birthday week, kicking off on February 17, which will also feature a live episode.
As previously revealed by The Sun, a huge explosion will rip through the Queen Vic and several big-name characters are rumoured to be caught up in the blast.
But will Sonia be one of them? If it was up to viewers, she would surely survive, with the door left open for a future return, like fellow fan favourite Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, who was deemed “lost at sea” in 2022.
An EastEnders source said: “Natalie is only in her early forties so there’s ample time for her to come back one day.
“If bosses do decide Sonia will perish in the Queen Vic fire, fans will be utterly devastated.
READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s quite rare for the soap to kill off popular characters, so it would be out of tune somewhat.”
Just like her trumpet-playing.
Her top 8 moments
FROM the musical to the emotional, Sonia has had some mesmerising moments during her 32 years in EastEnders. TV Editor Rod McPhee looks at eight of her best.
Trumpet traumas – 1993-2025: Sonia was given a trumpet to play as a youngster and was so bad, she infuriated friends and family.
She has since become synonymous with the instrument, and when Natalie’s own trumpeting skills improved, she was told by TV bosses to continue playing out of tune.
Teen pregnancy – 2000: Sonia featured in one of British soap’s first teen mum stories. At 15 she gave birth to Martin Fowler’s baby – despite being unaware she was expecting.
Jamie’s death – 2002: In one of the soap’s most tearjerking scenes, Sonia was utterly devastated when boyfriend Jamie Mitchell was run down and killed by her baby’s father Martin, who was texting behind the wheel.
Lesbian fling No1 – 2005: Sonia’s love life was typically eventful, especially when she had a same-sex fling with bestie Naomi when her marriage to Martin was on the rocks.
Adoption drama – 2005: After giving up baby Chloe for adoption, at which point she is renamed Rebecca, aka Bex, Sonia later applied for custody following the death of her daughter’s guardians. However, due to her affair, it was Martin who was awarded full custody, leaving Sonia distraught.
Lesbian fling No2 – 2014: Walford’s most famous nurse develops a cosy friendship with openly gay Tina Carter, who comforts Sonia while she deals with the trauma of her mum Carol battling cancer.
The pair’s closeness develops into a full-on relationship.
Gastric band surgery – 2014: After becoming insecure about her weight, Sonia arranged to have a secret gastric band surgery in Bulgaria. She later collapsed at an exercise class after suffering complications from the operation.
Daughter’s suicide attempt – 2019: Sonia is left distraught once again after Bex tries to take her own life after feeling pushed into going to Oxford University by her mum. She found her unconscious after an overdose, but thankfully made a full recovery.
