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How EastEnders pulled off shock star return for Sonia Fowler’s exit after actress Natalie Cassidy quit
WATCH the moment the character makes an unannounced return in the video
EASTENDERS bosses went all out in order to keep a shock star return a secret for Sonia Fowler's last ever scenes.
Actress Natalie Cassidy confirmed she had quit the soap for good earlier this year and now fans have watched her legendary character's exit play out all week on-screen.
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In a surprise twist, actor Brian Conley made a shock return as Rocky Cotton for Sonia's final ever episode.
He appeared from prison after he was banged up for setting fire to the café in an insurance scam.
In scenes broadcast today, Sonia went to visit Rocky following the appearance of her father, Terry Cant.
EastEnders fans will remember how Rocky initially pretended to be Terry Cant upon arriving in Walford some years ago.
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Now, The Sun can reveal how soap bosses went to great lengths in order to keep Brian's show comeback under wraps.
A source said: "Bosses took all the measures to make sure Brian's return was kept top secret.
"He snuck into Elstree to film his scenes quietly. It's rare that things don't leak but in this case it was a great success and a treat for fans.
"It's a great send off for Sonia too reuniting with Rocky with the real Terry being such a disappointment."
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The comedian joined the soap in May 2021, but left in late 2023 claiming he felt "restricted", and was unable to do his annual panto stint.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain last summer, Brian explained more about why he quit.
EastEnders horror as Sonia Fowler’s dad Terry Cant shows his true colours in violent attack
He said: "I left because you're not allowed to do anything else."
Appearing slightly miffed, he continued: "Although I've now found out you can.
"But at the time, they said you can't do anything."
Brian went on: "I'm a live performer, I love being live, I love getting out there - musicals and my own show which I'm currently doing.
"So for me I felt very restricted with those sort of ties."
Brian earns a six-figure sum for playing Buttons as Cinderella, while other stars are also regulars on the panto circuit.
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However show executives told him he had to decide between that or Albert Square.
EastEnders' 40th anniversary cameos so far
With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders coming up, fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford's past. But who have we had so far?
Tracy-Ann Oberman - Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago.
Paul Bradley - Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago.
Micheal French - French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago.
Patsy Palmer - Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019.
Ricky Groves - Groves returned as Garry Hobbs, a character who has not been seen since 2009.
Cliff Parisi - Parisi returned as Minty Peterson, a character who was last seen on the square in 2010.
Ross Kemp - Kemp has returned to play Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp's storyline as "explosive". Kemp said it was an "absolute honour" to return to the show.
Other aspects of the EastEnders 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.
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