EASTENDERS fans think they’ve cracked Sonia Fowler’s departure as a familiar face returns following Martin’s tragic death.
Following Martin Fowler’s tragic death, fans have speculated over which remaining members of the Fowler family will return for his funeral and how Sonia Fowler will exit the BBC soap.
EastEnders fans think they have sussed out how Sonia will leave Walford for good[/caption]
The actress Natalie Cassidy revealed she is leaving the BBC soap after 32 years[/caption]
Sonia’s daughter Bex is returning after receiving the devastating news about her dad Martin’s death[/caption]
EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Vicki Fowler – Martin’s niece – will be returning, but with a new actress taking on the role.
And confirmed fans’ hopes that Bex Fowler, Martin’s daughter, will return to Walford for his funeral, after leaving in 2020.
Following a first look clip released on Sunday, Bex’s mum Sonia calls her daughter to give her the devastating news.
Sitting up in her hospital bed, an emotional Sonia called her daughter and asked if she was with anyone.
After Bex replied, Sonia said: “I’m not snooping Bex, It’s just I, erm, I need to tell you something and it would be really lovely if there was a friend with you there right now.”
Sonia continued: “Oh god I really wish I was there with you now darlin’. It’s about your dad.”
Sonia struggled to contain her tears as she said: “There was an accident, urm…. and he died darlin’.”
As Bianca and Lauren stand at the foot of her hospital bed in tears – with Lauren cradling baby Julia – Sonia told Bex: “No it’s real. He died and urm…. I’m so sorry.”
Martin died after a steel beam crushed him, after Cindy caused Reiss to crash into the Queen Vic, which ignited a fire and explosion.
Bex was last played by Jasmine Armfield from 2014 to 2020, when the character decided to have a gap year before attending Oxford university and travel the world.
Bex will jet in after years spent travelling the world to be with her mum and the rest of the family as they lay Martin to rest.
The tragedy will hit Bex hard as she tries to adjust to everything that’s happened in her absence, including Sonia’s incarceration for murder and the arrival of her newborn sister.
Now, soap fans are convinced Bex’s return will lead to Sonia’s exit storyline, as she will decide to leave to live with her.
Taking to social media, one fan predicted: “I think this’ll tie in with mum Sonia’s departure.”
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
Another added: “Bex will most likely persuade Sonia to move with her.”
A third penned: “I hope this means we can see Sonia and Julia heading off with Bex for a fresh start.”
Sonia Fowler actress Natalie Cassidy, 41, told bosses of her decision to leave the hit BBC One soap last summer.
Natalie, who joined the EastEnders 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.”
Speaking of Bex’s return, EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jasmine home to EastEnders as part of Martin’s farewell.
“There’s no way that Bex would miss her dad’s funeral, and Sonia needs her eldest daughter more than ever.
“It’s been five years in which Bex has gone out into the world, so she’ll come back with renewed wisdom and experience.”
On her return as Bex Fowler, Jasmine Armfield said: “It’s wonderful to be back at EastEnders and to see so many familiar faces.
“It’s amazing for me to come home, but for Bex, it’s an absolutely devastating time because she’s lost her dad.
“She’s grown up a lot, having spent the past few years travelling, so we’re going to see a much more mature and grown-up version of Bex this time around.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
Bex left Walford to go travelling back in 2020[/caption]
She will return five years later for her dad’s funeral[/caption]
Actress Natalie Cassidy has broken her silence on her shock exit[/caption]
