Sonia Fowler (played by Natalie Cassidy) left the soap this week after being involved in the show for several stints between 1993 and 2025.
She departed Walford alongside sister Bianca (Patsy Palmer), as well as daughters Bex (Jasmine Armfield) and Julia.
Sonia’s final few episodes included the unexpected arrival of Terry Cant (Glen Davies), her biological father, The Sun reports.
Terry offered to bring Sonia, Bex and Julia back to Bali with him, but soon revealed his true nature by hurting Bianca in a violent attack.
After turning the tables on him, the women stole Terry’s plane tickets, car and boat.
Before leaving, Sonia left flowers for her ex-husband Martin (James Bye), who died of a cardiac arrest after a metal beam collapsed on him following a fire at the Queen Vic pub during the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode.
She was then persuaded to jump into the boat on the back of the trailer to leave Albert Square with Bianca, playing the trumpet as she left, which is something her younger self was known for.
Despite the emotional send-off for the character, some EastEnders fans claimed a key story detail was missed for her exit.
EastEnders fans claim key story detail missed in Sonia Fowler exit
Several residents of Walford saw Sonia off, but Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) were nowhere to be seen.
Sonia had a connection to the Mitchells through her relationship with Jamie (Jack Ryder).
Back in 2002, he was killed after being accidentally run over by Martin Fowler (then played by James Alexandrou).
Some EastEnders fans said there should have been a scene with Sonia saying goodbye to the Mitchells because of that, and that it was a shame not to include it.
A few took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to point this out, as one wrote: “tbh my only complaint of Sonia’s last episode was no Phil or Billy goodbyes.
“Like HELLLLLO!? the three of them are forever linked because of Jamie #Eastenders.”
Another said: “This is a good point. Phil and Sonia’s relationship is one of my favourite dynamics of the entire series, so it’s a shame they weren’t given a goodbye scene. #EastEnders.”
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In reply, another commented: “Phil and Sonia have barely shared any scenes in the last 10-12 years which I’ve never liked due to their history.
“Even when phil thanks Sonia for saving Ben in the cafe they treat the scene like they’re strangers. Very disappointing there was no goodbye.”
A fourth said: “so glad with the jamie mention but completely agree !! the s*** they all went through when they lost him makes them bonded for life.”
