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 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.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Watch the moment EastEnders’ Lacey Turner ‘saves’ James Bye during live episode after Martin Fowler star hints he forgot lines” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369219185112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]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.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D107667%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]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.”
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.
