Eastenders legend Natalie Cassidy has opened up following her decision to leave the BBC soap after 11 years of being a full-time cast member.
The 41-year-old actress, who has played Sonia Fowler on and off on the BBC soap for almost 32 years has decided to bow out next month amid the soap's 40th anniversary celebrations and said she is leaving to try new things.
Speaking to The Sun, she shared: "I'm 42 this year. I just feel like it's time to be brave. You don't want to get to 70 and think, 'I never tried that'. "I've loved the programme with all my heart.
I started at 10, it's in my bones, it's in my heart." Natalie made the decision to leave after talks with soap boss Chris Clenshaw during the summer.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk