The real reason why BBC bosses are reeling over Natalie Cᴀssidy’s sudden departure departure from EastEnders has reportedly been revealed.

The actress, 41, announced on Thursday that she will be leaving the BBC soap for good following her return last year for its 40th anniversary.

Natalie first joined EastEnders in 1993 when she was just 10 years old and remained with the show until 2007. She returned as Sonia for a year in 2010 and then returned again last year.

The star’s character Sonia Fowler is a beloved fan-favourite and according to The Sun, bosses are ‘well aware of Natalie’s popularity’.

A source told the publication: ‘Her much-loved character has been a mainstay of Albert Square for over 30 years, and they envisioned her filling the huge hole left by Dot by becoming the Walford stalwart and busybody, who locals would go to for gossip and also advice.

Dot was played by the late June Brown, who was the nation’s sweetheart in the iconic BBC soap for nearly 40 years.

The real reason why BBC bosses are reeling over Natalie Cᴀssidy’s sudden departure departure from EastEnders has reportedly been revealed 

The actress, 41, announced on Thursday that she will be leaving the BBC soap for good following her return last year for its 40th anniversary (pictured in 2024)

June pᴀssed away aged 95 of natural causes in April 2022 and her character was honoured with her own send off as the cast of Albert Square gathered for Dot’s funeral that year. 

The source added: ‘But incredibly, despite being engrossed by EastEnders for three quarters of her life, Natalie has managed to grow a profile outside of the soap and has become too big for it.’

MailOnline has contaced the BBC for comment. 

In a statement given to The Sun announcing that she’s quitting the soap, Natalie 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.’

The publication reports that Natalie will film her final scenes next month around the 40th anniversary week.

Natalie’s character is currently pregnant with killer Reiss Calwell’s baby, unaware that he murdered his ex-wife Debbie, a crime Sonia was charged with.

Natalie first joined EastEnders in 1993 when she was just 10 years old and remained with the show until 2007 (pictured in 1999)

A source said bosses ‘envisioned her filling the huge hole left by Dot by becoming the Walford stalwart and busybody’ (June Brown pictured as Dot in 2009)

A source told the publication: ‘Her much-loved character has been a mainstay of Albert Square for over 30 years, and they envisioned her filling the huge hole left by Dot’

Read More Natalie Cᴀssidy’s most explosive EastEnders storylines as she quits Sonia Fowler role after 32 years

A jury found her not guilty after Reiss managed to produce a video of her sister, Bianca Butcher, falsely confessing to the killing. 

Natalie reportedly told bosses she was planning on leaving EastEnders last summer. 

Rumours are now rife that Sonia will be killed off in the upcoming 40th anniversary week to give viewers a storyline they will never forget. 

Natalie has branched out beyond Albert Square many times in her career. During her break from the show, she appeared in theatre productions of The Vagina Monologues and Bedroom Farce. 

She released a fitness DVD Natalie Cᴀssidy’s Then and Now Workout in 2007 and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2012.

More recently, she appeared on the BBC sitcom Motherland in 2021 along with an appearance on the comedy show Mandy the year before.

The actress has been in a longterm relationship with BBC cameraman Marc Humphreys since 2014.

But after a long engagement the lovebirds still haven’t planned their big day with Natalie admitting what’s holding her back.

The character is currently pregnant with killer Reiss Calwell’s baby, unaware that he murdered his ex-wife Debbie, a crime Sonia was charged with

The actress has been in a longterm relationship with BBC cameraman Marc Humphreys since 2014

Speaking to Jen Brister and Kerry Godliman on the Memory Lane podcast, the soapstar revealed she’s ‘a bit of a snob.’ 

‘Do you know what? It’s a lot of money. No, I tell you what it is; it’s time and budget. It is because I go, ‘I’ll only do something small; I don’t need to…'” she began. 

‘I will do it small but I want to be at The Ledbury. Oh, I want a Michelin star meal or I’m just a bit of a snob genuinely.

‘I’ll want the best flowers and I will want a designer suit,’ Natalie admitted.

The couple met as Marc works a cameraman on EastEnders.

Natalie and Marc are parents to daughter Joanie while the star is also mother to daughter Eliza with her ex-partner Adam Cottrel.