EastEnders icon Sonia Fowler has left Walford in emotional scenes 32 years after her debut in Albert Square.
During Thursday's (April 17) episode of the BBC soap, available now on BBC iPlayer, Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) made the huge decision to leave following the arrival of her dad Terry Cant (Glen Davies) earlier this week.
The nurse, who first arrived in 1993, has been considering waving goodbye to Walford following the death of her killer-ex, Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman), and her ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye).
But there was another shock on Monday (April 14) when Sonia's long-lost father, Terry, arrived at her front door, and he pleaded for a chance to reconcile a father-daughter relationship.
Sonia was later left shocked when he invited her to join him in Bali along with her two daughters Bex (Jasmine Armfield) and baby Julia.
On Wednesday (April 16), Sonia was seen mulling over the opportunity for a fresh start abroad. Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) encouraged her to get out of Walford, adding that she could always ditch Terry if things didn't work out.
Bex was keen on the idea too, so Sonia told a thrilled Terry the news and he rushed off to book flights. Meanwhile, a disapproving Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) was urged by Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) to be supportive of Sonia, but she appeared to be troubled by Terry's presence.
Bianca gave Sonia her blessing, but was later seen trying to contact their mum Carol (Lindsey Coulson) in the playground. A gloating Terry spotted Bianca, and when another war of words broke out about the kind of man he really was.
He soon turned nasty, grabbing hold of Bianca and leaving her in pain as he warned her not to come between him and Sonia.
On Thursday, Sonia and Bex packed as they prepare to leave Walford. However, over in the café Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) and Kat (Jessie Wallace) questioned Bianca about her injuries.
It wasn't long before Bianca revealed all about her altercation with Terry, and she headed over to tell Sonia.
But not knowing who to believe, Bianca or Terry, Sonia sought advice from an familiar face as she pondered her decision to leave.
While some fans thought Sonia was going to see her mum Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), she actually went to visit Tom 'Rocky' Cotton (Brian Conley) in prison to seek some advice before making her decision.
Rocky famously pretended to be Sonia's father Terry when he first arrived in Albert Sqaure but it was later revealed to be scam but she told him that she's always seen him as a father figure.
After finally seeing the real Terry's true colours later on in the episode, Bianca, Bex and Sonia locked Terry in a garage before stealing his car, boat and flights to Bali.
Sonia finally decided to say goodbye to Walford for good and in emotional scenes, the Square congregated together to give her, Bianca, Julia and Bex the send-off they deserve.
Sonia and Bianca were seen sitting in the speed boat which was driven away as Sonia played her famous trumpet for the final time.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer
English (United States) ·