It has left soap fans reeling - and now the cast of EastEnders have responded to the news that Natalie Cassidy - aka Sonia Fowler - saying goodbye to Albert Square, after a whopping 32 years since her first appearance on the BBC show. And a host of cast members have responded to Natalie's announcement, which was made on EastEnders' official Instagram account, to share their best wishes for the actress on social media. Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter, wrote, "EE won't be the same without you my friend," while Tony Clay (Callum Highway) called her an "icon", and Clair Norris (Bernie Taylor) wrote, "My mentor!! What a lady." Milly Zero (Dotty Cotton) said, "Congratulations on creating an icon & your [sic] gonna smash it out there".

California-based star Patsy Palmer, meanwhile, Natalie's on-screen sister Bianca Jackson, shared the big announcement on her Instagram Stories, writing simply: "Love you sister." New mum Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) said in her Stories, "Legend on and off the tele. Love you," while Zaraah Abrahams (Chelsea Fox) said, "Nat, my beautiful friend" in her own social media post. Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning), who rejoined the soap on New Year's Day 2024 after a five-year break, also shared a sweet tribute to her friend and co-star, writing: "It breaks my heart as a massive fan of the show, but I can't wait to continue to watch you smash it my love. Always been an inspiration to me, so lucky to have worked with you and have you as a cousin on the best square around! Love you loads it feels real now.".

Announcing her departure, mum-of-two Natalie, 41, 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 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.".

Involved in some of the much-loved soap's most explosive storylines, Natalie is set to film her final EastEnders scenes in February, coinciding with the soap’s much-anticipated 40th anniversary celebrations. Recently, the actress has launched not one but two podcasts - Life with Nat and Off the Telly, as well as filming an appearance in the upcoming second season of BBC comedy Boarders. EastEnders is on BBC One on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.