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How EastEnders pulled off shock star return for Sonia Fowler’s exit after actress Natalie Cassidy quit

Published on April 17, 2025 at 08:24 AM

EASTENDERS bosses went all out in order to keep a shock star return a secret for Sonia Fowler's last ever scenes.

Actress confirmed she had quit the soap for good earlier this year and now fans have watched her legendary character's exit play out all week on-screen.

Close-up of a man looking thoughtfully.
Brian Conley's surprise return to EastEnders was kept under wraps
Woman smiling at an older man.
Sonia visited the jailed man ahead of her show exit

In a surprise twist, actor made for Sonia's final ever episode.

He appeared from after he was banged up for setting fire to the café in an scam.

In scenes broadcast today, Sonia went to visit Rocky following the appearance of her father, Terry Cant.

fans will remember how Rocky initially pretended to be Terry Cant upon arriving in Walford some years ago.

Now, Flying Eze can reveal how soap bosses went to great lengths in order to keep Brian's show comeback under wraps.

A source said:“Bosses took all the measures to make sure Brian's return was kept top secret.

“He snuck into Elstree to film his scenes quietly. It's rare that things don't leak but in this case it was a great success and a treat for fans.

“It's a great send off for Sonia too reuniting with Rocky with the real Terry being such a disappointment.”

The comedian joined the soap in May 2021, but left in late 2023 claiming he felt “restricted”, and was unable to do his annual panto stint.

Appearing on lastsummer, Brian explained more about.

He said: “I left because you're not allowed to do anything else.”

Appearing slightly miffed, he continued: “Although I've now found out you can.

“But at the time, they said you can't do anything.”

Brian went on: “I'm a live performer, I love being live, I love getting out there – musicals and my own show which I'm currently doing.

“So for me I felt very restricted with those sort of ties.”

Brian earns a six-figure sum for playing Buttons as Cinderella, while other stars are also regulars on the panto circuit.

However show executives told him he had to decide between that or Albert Square.

Sonia Fowler from EastEnders in a cafe.
Sonia's exit has played out this week
Thomas "Rocky" Cotton, Sonia Fowler's father, in EastEnders.
He real father Terry Cant turned out to be a nasty piece of work
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