Patsy Palmer breaks silence on Natalie Cassidy’s EastEnders exit after 32 years with emotional tribute
PATSY Palmer has broken her silence on Natalie Cassidy’s EastEnders exit with an emotional tribute.
This week it was revealed that show legend Natalie is leaving the soap for good - after nearly 32 years playing Sonia Fowler.
Bosses were keeping tight-lipped as to whether or not her much-loved character will be killed off, but confirmed that she will film her final scenes next month around the must-see 40th anniversary week.
The special week, which kicks off on Monday February 17, will see a huge explosion rip through the soap’s iconic Queen Vic pub, with several much-loved characters getting caught up in the blast.
And now, EastEnders star Patsy has shared a throwback photo of them together in wedding dresses.
She wrote: “Needed to pay my respect to this woman . I have known Natalie for too many years to add up.
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“I started at The Anna Scher Theatre school when I was 9. Natalie is 10 years younger so she probably started around the same age some 10 years later. She was a old head in the cutest shoulders from day 1 and from that I day was her biggest protector.
“When we started we started together. I would drive from Bethnal Green to Islington every morning to pick her up and bring her to work waved off by Eve her beautiful mumma . Windows down we would sing and laugh and learn lines on our wonderful journey together.”
Patsy continued: “I have seen her grow into the most fantastic woman over the years and so so brilliantly funny and now shes making sure I am safe and comfy when I am here so far away from my family in LA.
“She often gives me a lift nowadays from work to stay with her making me dinner or to the hotel and I am truly grateful to call her my Sister on screen and off screen. Without Anna Schers we wouldn’t have done the jobs we have done because unfortunately its tough for girls like us to have made something of ourselves.
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“I was determined to make Natalie know that she could do it and she has again and again! I’m proud of you and your work, your business ventures and your beautiful family.
“Here’s to all of you girls that think you won’t make it !! When we shot these scenes back in the early 90’s 22 million people tuned in to watch !! so keep dreaming . Don’t believe the lies we are here rooting for you. Go get em Nat I’ll be watching.”
Natalie, 41, told bosses of her decision to leave the hit BBC One soap last summer, and rumours are rife that her character could be killed off during the soap's 40th.
An EastEnders source said: "The 40th week was always going to be shocking, but could they really kill off Sonia Fowler?
"Viewers have watched her grow up on screen and she’s been at the heart of some of the soap’s biggest storylines.
"It would be a proper soap shocker if she was to die during the 40th but equally it will be one that viewers will never ever forget."
Natalie, who joined the BBC One soap back in 1993, aged just ten years, said: "I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited.
"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 ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.”
Natalie’s character Sonia is currently pregnant with killer Reiss Colwell’s baby unaware that he bumped off his ex-wife Debbie, a crime she was later charged with.
Luckily, a jury found her not-guilty of murder after Reiss produced a video of Sonia’s sister Bianca Butcher confessing to the killing.
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But with Bianca, played by actress Patsy Palmer, 52, having been imprisoned by twisted Reiss in a lock-up for months, and forced to make the recording, it’s only a matter of time before the the truth comes out.
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