Natalie Cassidy to leave EastEnders after more than 30 years as Sonia Fowler

Natalie Cassidy is to leave EastEnders (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy is to leave the BBC soap after more than 30 years playing Sonia Fowler.

The 41-year-old said she was “extremely sad” but “very excited” to be leaving, with the BBC confirming her final scenes would take place around the series 40th anniversary week beginning February 17.

In a statement, she said: “I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited.

Cassidy has been in the soap for more than 30 years (Ian West/PA)

“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.

“Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See you, Sonia, going but never forgotten.”

The BBC has not announced how Cassidy will leave the show.

Her character is currently pregnant with Reiss Colwell’s (Jonny Freeman) baby unaware that he killed his ex-wife Debbie (Jenny Meier), a crime Sonia was later charged with, but found not guilty after a video emerged of her half-sister Bianca Butcher (Patsy Palmer) confessing to the crime.

EastEnders executive producer Clenshaw said of Cassidy’s departure: “Over the last 31 years in EastEnders, Natalie has been involved in some of the show’s most iconic and explosive storylines.

“Her portrayal of Sonia has made her a firm fan favourite amongst the viewers.

“I won’t be revealing the finite 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.

“I’d like to thank Natalie for her time at EastEnders, and I wish her all the best for the future.”

Her character is best known for her poor trumpet playing, which angered her family and neighbours, during her early days on the soap.

Some of Sonia’s biggest storylines include her being bullied by her friend Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix) after she fell in with the wrong crowd at school, and her teenage pregnancy with later-husband Martin Fowler (Jon Peyton-Price/James Alexandrou)

Cassidy made her first appearance in the soap in 1993, leaving the soap in 2007, before returning briefly between 2010 and 2011, and later coming back to Walford in 2014.

The soap’s 40th anniversary will also see the return of Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) brother Grant (Ross Kemp) after a near 10-year absence.

It will also see fans given a vote on whether Denise Fox (Diane Parish) reunites with her estranged husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) or picks secret lover Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).