The Sonia Fowler actor is bowing out of the BBC One show over 32 years after her first appearance, and her fellow cast members have shared their best wishes on social media.

In response to the announcement post on the soap’s Instagram account, Kellie Bright (Linda Carter) commented, “EE won’t be the same without you my friend,” while Milly Zero (Dotty Cotton) wrote, “Congratulations on creating an icon & your [sic] gonna smash it out there”.

Tony Clay (Callum Highway) called her an “icon”, while Clair Norris (Bernie Taylor) said, “My mentor!! What a lady.”

Natalie’s on-screen sister Pasty Palmer (Bianca Jackson) shared the announcement to her Instagram Stories, and added: “Love you sister.”

“Legend on and off the tele. Love you,” Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) said in her Stories, while Zaraah Abrahams (Chelsea Fox) said, “Nat, my beautiful friend” in her own Stories.

Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) shared a longer tribute on her Stories. She wrote: “It breaks my heart as a massive fan of the show, but I can’t wait to continue to watch you smash it my love.

“Always been an inspiration to me, so lucky to have worked with you and have you as a cousin on the best square around! Love you loads it feels real now.”

In her exit announcement, Cassidy 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.”