EASTENDERS star Natalie Cassidy has officially departed the BBC show after more than 30 years as Sonia Fowler.
Her character was last seen playing the trumpet that her younger self was known for as she left with her sister Bianca (played by ).
In January, the 41-year-old actress said she was “extremely sad” but “very excited” to announce she would be leaving the BBC soap.
Thursday's episode showed Sonia (), her daughters Bex (Jasmine Armfield) and newborn baby Julia head to Bali with her sister.
This was after they stole her estranged father Terry Cant's () plane tickets, car and boat.
Before leaving, Sonia left flowers for her ex-husband Martin (James Bye), who died after a metal beam collapsed on him during the
Sonia was then persuaded to jump into the boat on the back of the trailer to depart Albert Square with Bianca.
After getting into the boat, Sonia was asked by the neighbours if she would be going to Bali.
She replied: “Well yeah, that's where we're going to start off, Bex is going to find us some visas and everything, and then we're just going to wing it.”
Bianca then handed Sonia her trumpet as she exclaimed: “I've got an idea, look, for old times' sake as we drive off, come on, it'll be a laugh. You can put it in the bin when we get to Stansted.”
The character was known for her poor trumpet playing, which angered her family and neighbours, during her early days on the soap.
Sonia played the instrument as they finally left Walford, driven away by her daughter Bex, as the residents of Albert Square waved them off as Julia's Theme played out.
fans took to in their droves – as they praised the highly-anticipated exit scenes.
One viewer exclaimed: “Why the hell am I crying at Sonia in a speedboat with a trumpet?!”
A second user stated: “Wasn't expecting to be so emotional watching this. Bye Sonia and Bianca.”
While a third commented: “Sorry why am i actually still devo about sonia and bianca leaving”
“I am CRYING over tiktok edits of Sonia, Bianca, and Bex leaving. I'm certifiable at this point,” wrote someone else.
As an additional fan posted: “That was a really lovely exit for Sonia and Bianca, glad they got Julia’s Theme! I really hope it isn’t years and years until we see them again.”
And a sixth added: “Crying at tonight’s episode of Eastenders. It was a perfect send off for Sonia, Bianca and Bex.”
It came after a touching opening scene which saw Sonia listen to a recording of her step-grandmother Dot Branning, who was played by the late , while she packed up her belongings.
You can put it [the trumpet] in the bin when we get to Stansted.
Bianca JacksonEastEnders
In the recording, an emotional Dot could be heard saying: “What did that little girl ever do to live a life of losing everything she ever loved.
“She didn't do nothing, she just wanted someone to love her, to care for her, to pin her drawings on the wall.
“And I'm sitting here and I'm still alone, and out there a light, and behind the windows little girls are being tucked up by their mummies and told stories, and sung to, and they feel happy, and safe, and wanted.
“And I'm still here, and I have to go out that door and face the world, and everyone I see has got someone.
“The worst part is seeing them complaining and fighting amongst themselves, and they don't know what they've got.”
in the soap in 1993, leaving in 2007, before returning briefly between 2010 and 2011, and later coming back to Walford in 2014.
Palmer, who is currently a contestant on ITV‘s , also left the show after her return last year, which saw her reunited with her father David Wicks, played by Michael French.
EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
