EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa – who plays Lauren Branning – has reacted to the news that colleague Natalie Cassidy will be bidding farewell to Sonia Fowler once again
Cast member Jacqueline Jossa has addressed the news that her colleague Natalie Cassidy is leaving EastEnders.
It was announced on Thursday that Natalie, 41 – who plays Sonia Fowler – will be leaving the BBC show amid its 40th anniversary. The actor made her debut on the soap in 1993 and has left on a few occasions previously, though has been back on the show since 2014.
The news has prompted reaction from fans and colleagues alike, including her co-star Jacqueline, 32, who plays Lauren Branning. She shared her thoughts on Natalie’s departure in a post on her Instagram Story on Friday afternoon.
Jacqueline wrote: “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 [Natalie]. 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.”
It comes after Natalie issued her own statement earlier this week. She 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.”
She continued in the statement: “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.”
Executive producer Chris has teased that Natalie will have a “central role” in the anniversary celebrations. He said: “I won’t be revealing the [minute] details relating to her exit, but I can say that she will take a central role in the 40th anniversary storylines in a week of truly unmissable drama that will change the lives of those in Walford forever.”
It has also been confirmed this week that the anniversary celebrations will include a “special hour-long episode” as well as the live episode. These are set to be broadcast next month on February 19 and 20 respectively.
A post by the show has teased: “To officially mark the 40th years since EastEnders first aired on BBC One, the whole week of episodes will take place over one day, with a special hour-long episode transmitting on Wednesday 19th February, followed by a full live episode on Thursday 20th February which is set to change Walford, and the lives of those who live in it forever.”
