Natalie Cassidy lands huge new job at Virgin Radio after EastEnders as Sonia Fowler’s Albert Square exit revealed
EASTENDERS star Natalie Cassidy has landed a huge new job at Virgin Radio.
This comes as her long-running alter ego Sonia Fowler’s Albert Square exit storyline has been revealed on-screen.
Natalie, 41, has played the long-suffering nurse on the BBC One soap for three decades.
She first appeared on-screen in 1993 but later revealed her decision to leave the award-winning serial drama before the 40th anniversary live episode.
After launching her popular podcast, Off The Telly with Gavin And Stacey star Joanna Page, it seems the actress now has big plans to take over the radio world.
It’s been announced that the star will take to the airwaves on Virgin Radio for her own special show this Easter.
Fans will be able to hear the star from 1pm until 4pm on Monday 21st April via the Virgin Radio app or smart speakers.
Ahead of her show, Natalie exclaimed: “I’m very excited. This year I’m trying to branch out and do brave things, and this is one of them.
“I feel very honoured to have been given a chance on Virgin Radio. I’m a very big fan of the station and music in general.”
The actress added: “So to actually come in and do my own show feels very daunting, but there’s a first time for everything.
“I would love to play Oasis for my first show, just a track, because I love them to pieces. Amy Winehouse is always a good one as well. Valerie, it’s a karaoke family classic.”
Although the star will be giving up a bank holiday, this is something that she’s become used to because of the full-on filming schedule on EastEnders.
She remarked: “Back in EastEnders we’d be filming, we didn’t really have bank holidays. What holiday?
“I’d be at home with the kids, relaxing probably. I say relaxing, I don’t really sit down. I’d probably be cleaning and doing the washing.”
This comes as fans of EastEnders will finally get to see Sonia Fowler depart Walford.
After secretly writing a letter to her father Terry Cant (Glen Davies), he suddenly appeared on the Square, following the release of Bianca’s (Patsy Palmer) true crime podcast.
Sonia Fowler’s biggest EastEnders storylines
Sonia Fowler has featured in EastEnders since 1993, and after starring in thousands of episodes, has been featured in storylines ranging from teenage pregnancy to a cancer scare. Here are some of her biggest.
- Teen Pregnancy and Birth of Chloe Jackson (1999-2000)
Sonia discovered she was pregnant at the age of 15. Viewers were shocked by the sudden birth, as the teen went into labour without even realising she was pregnant. Martin Fowler turned out to be Chloe’s father. Sonia initially decided to give the girl up for adoption. - Death of her boyfriend (2002)
Sonia’s boyfriend, Jamie Mitchell, was hit by a car driven by her baby’s father. Jamie had just bought an engagement ring for his girlfriend before being struck down by the thoughtless Martin, who was texting while driving. Although the Jamie was rushed to hospital, docs said his liver was irreparably damaged, and he ended up dying with Sonia by his side. - Marriage to Martin Fowler and Family Tensions (2004-2007)
In a shock twist Sonia went on to marry the man responsible for her previous boyfriend’s death. Their relationship was marred by conflicts and infidelity, and they went on to split up after just three years. At one point in their marriage Sonia was taken hostage by Sarah Cairns, who became obsessed with Martin after he flirted with her during a drunken night out. The couple went through struggles again when the adoptive parents of their daughter were killed in a car crash, leaving them responsible for Rebecca. Because of the tension in their relationship Sonia ended up cheating on her husband with one of her co-workers, nurse Naomi Julien. - Custody Battle for Rebecca (2005-2007)
Baby Chloe, who was renamed Rebecca, was kidnapped by her mum early in life before being returned to her adoptive parents. After Neil and Sue Miller died they awarded Martin full custody of the child because of Sonia’s extra-marital affair. The mum was left distraught to be cut out of her daughter’s life. - Gastric Band Surgery and Weight Struggles (2014-2015)
Sonia became insecure about her weight and arranged to have a secret gastric band surgery in Bulgaria. She later collapsed at an exercise class after suffering complications from the operation. - Discovery of Bex’s Suicide Attempt (2019)
Sonia’s daughter Rebecca tried to take her own life in a heartbreaking storyline which left viewers in tears. She found Bex unconscious after taking an overdose, and was devastated. Sonia blamed herself for pushing her daughter to breaking point, as she had tried to force her into going to Oxford despite Bex saying she didn’t feel ready for university.
After she buried her ex-husband Martin Fowler, her daughter Bex (Jasmine Armfield) returned from her travels.
But Terry has invited Sonia and her daughter to get to know him after years of separation, and go live with him in Bali.
EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.