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.

Natalie Cassidy's new role has been announced just hours after it was revealed her character Sonia Fowler is exiting the soap

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.

Long-time EastEnders star to leave soap after 32 years - ‘I have decided it's time to move on,’ BBC soap star said

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

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy is set to leave the BBC soap after nearly 32 years of playing Sonia Jackson. The 41-year-old actress, who first joined the show in 1993 at the age of ten, has announced her departure from Albert Square.