EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy has threatened to storm Elstree Studios in Borehamwood ‘with a sledgehammer’ if the BBC soap ever re-casts Sonia Fowler.

The actress is set to leave her role in the coming months, having announced her decision to depart earlier this year.

A star of the show for 32 years, Natalie’s character Sonia has been involved in some huge storylines, including an unexpected teenage pregnancy and the exploration of her bisexuality.

More recently, Sonia found herself languishing in prison as she awaited trial for the murder of Debbie Colwell – unaware that fiancé Reiss Colwell was the actual culprit.

Fortunately, Sonia was found not guilty and soon caught on to Reiss’ deception.

During the 40th anniversary live episode, she took centre stage as she went into labour while trapped in the Queen Vic.

However, Natalie has admitted that, despite her impending exit, she doesn’t want that to be the last anniversary she celebrates with the show, with The Sun reporting that she hopes to be able to ‘pop back’ for the 50th anniversary.

The actress also admitted that she would rather see Sonia killed off-screen than another actress take on the role.

‘If they recast Sonia, I’m going to Borehamwood with a sledgehammer,’ she joked, ‘I feel very protective about Sonia.

‘She could die off screen, though. We could be watching it one night and you know the old phone call: Kathy runs in saying, “Ian, I’ve just had a message, Sonia’s dead!”

‘That could easily happen.’

As of yet, it is unknown how Sonia will leave the show, and Natalie and EastEnders bosses are all remaining tight-lipped.

Following news of her exit, Natalie has already unveiled her newest project, revealing that she has written a book called ‘Happy Days’.

Citing it as a ‘dream come true’, she told her Instagram followers that it would be released in October, and is ‘all about her life, growing up on the telly, parenting, loss, joy’ and other things.