OI SON, what are you doing hun?
Long-time EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy has announced she is set to leave the BBC One soap in a shock move.
Natalie Cassidy has announced she has quit EastEnders after 32 years[/caption]
The character is an institution and needs to go the right way[/caption]
Sonia Fowler is one of the last remaining links to Dot Cotton[/caption]
Her exit scenes are of course, going to run in line with the highly-anticipated 40th Anniversary celebrations.
This may sound exciting for some soap fans, but this long-time viewer is worried.
Many of us Walford loyalists know that something dramatic is bound to happen and most likely, one (or more) characters could be killed off.
But killing off Sonia Fowler, a meme-worthy character of three decades would not be the way to go.
Simply put, our Sonia is a mainstay, a constant, and an institution like the gold bust of Queen Victoria.
Killing Sonia would be like killing Tracy (Jane Slaughter), the heart of EastEnders, unnecessary and downright cruel.
She hasn’t always appeared constantly, but we know that she’s been there as part of the fabric of Albert Square.
Vile Reiss (Jonny Freeman) recently started a ‘Save Our Sonia’ campaign to try and prove her innocence when she was in prison.
I may hate that character with all my soul, but give me that petition and I’ll sign it quicker than you can say the world ‘surrogate’.
Now I cannot help but think that maybe the petition might just seep its way through the fourth wall as fans fight to save the beloved character.
What a dramatic life Sonia has had, from her pregnancy aged 15 to the death of her young boyfriend Jamie Mitchell in 2002.
We always remember her problematic marriage to Martin, only for it to end when she came out as bisexual after a relationship with Naomi Julien (Petra Letang).
Then of course she was arrested on suspicion of murdering her own former mother-in-law Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard).
Let’s not forget that apart from the Brannings, Sonia is one of the last remaining links we have to the legendary Dot Cotton (June Brown).
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.
I also remember when Sonia stole money from her step-grandmother after she was blackmailed by Martin’s hit and run victim. Good times.
All this was mixed in with a penchant for playing a random instrument, the Trumpet.
Over the years she has infuriated residents all over Walford with her playing – like, of course she did!
From her distinct East End voice to her chaotic storylines, her antics on Albert Square have cemented Sonia as a camp icon.
Simply put, our Sonia is a mainstay, a constant, and an institution like the gold bust of Queen Victoria
I strongly urge bosses NOT to kill off this legendary soap figure-head.
Please do not deprive us of more iconic scenes yet to come, simply to get some short-term shock factor for the Anniversary.
A better idea would be to kill off a dislikable character like Reiss instead to give the audience the satisfaction we are craving with that storyline combined with an ‘event’ feel.
Then in a state of shock, Sonia needs to get out of Walford and she decides to go and live with her mother Carol.
This way, we have a potential opportunity for a return further down the line, rather than a death some have regretted like Ronnie and Roxy.
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Over the years she has had nothing but a chaotic life in Albert Square[/caption]
She was known for her legendary feud with mother-in-law Pauline Fowler[/caption]
Sonia gave birth aged just 15-years-old[/caption]
Her various lesbian affairs have been a delight to watch over the years[/caption]
Of course, she has infuriated many residents with her trumpet[/caption]
EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
