After more than 30 years in Albert Square, Sonia Fowler’s time on EastEnders has come to a heartfelt and trumpet-filled end. But while fans were left misty-eyed by the emotional send-off, Natalie Cassidy, the actress behind the beloved character, has revealed one glaring disappointment that left her “really cross.”

Sonia’s final episode saw her bid goodbye to Walford in style, jetting off to Bali with daughters Bex and Julia and her sister, Bianca Jackson. It marked the end of an era, with Sonia having been a part of the show since she was just 10 years old, debuting back in 1993.

The farewell wasn’t a dramatic fall from grace or a teary departure in a black cab. Instead, it was joyful and warm—a rarity for EastEnders. Fans were treated to a bittersweet moment as Sonia played her trademark trumpet, a nostalgic callback to one of the show’s most iconic running gags. The final scene was soundtracked by Julia’s Theme, which long-time fans will recognize as a signifier of major character departures.

But while the trumpet made it in, one key scene did not.

Speaking candidly on her podcast “Off The Telly”, which she co-hosts with actress Joanna Page, Natalie admitted that a favorite moment between Sonia and Phil Mitchell didn’t make the final cut. And that left her more than a little upset.

“I felt quite emotional but, do you know what? Maybe I’ve missed it because I wasn’t watching it properly, but I feel like they cut out the scene which was my favourite scene,” Natalie explained.

“It was Sonia and Phil, and me and Phil just having a moment in the Square. I didn’t see it. I’d be really cross because it was a really nice scene.”

This cut is especially significant considering the long and layered history between Sonia and Phil Mitchell. One of their most memorable shared storylines was rooted in tragedy: the death of Jamie Mitchell, Phil’s godson and Sonia’s boyfriend, who was fatally hit by a car driven by Sonia’s future husband, Martin Fowler. For a time, Phil blamed Sonia for Jamie’s death, but over the years the pair managed to forge a surprising but strong friendship.

Their bond served as a quiet but meaningful thread in EastEnders history—so Natalie’s frustration over the missing farewell scene is entirely understandable. A quiet moment between the two would have been a fitting nod to their complicated, shared past.

Despite that disappointment, Natalie’s overall feelings about Sonia’s send-off were overwhelmingly positive.

“It was nice and joyful, it wasn’t sort of depressing,” she said. “She didn’t leave in a black cab—it was just fun.”

That upbeat tone seemed to resonate with viewers, too. Natalie shared that she received an outpouring of messages and DMs from fans who had been deeply touched by Sonia’s departure.