EastEnders Bosses Keep Brian Conley’s Shock Return a Secret for Sonia Fowler’s Exit
In a stunning development, according to a report from The Sun, EastEnders bosses went to great lengths 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 fans have been watching her legendary character’s exit play out all week on-screen.
The Sun reports that 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 recently, 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.
According to a source, cited by The Sun, "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."
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. He said, "I left because you’re not allowed to do anything else." He continued, "Although I’ve now found out you can. But at the time, they said you can’t do anything."
Brian went on to say, "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. However, show executives told him he had to decide between that or Albert Square.
As reported by The Sun, EastEnders is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford’s past. Some of the notable cameos so far include Tracy-Ann Oberman returning as Chrissie Watts, Paul Bradley returning as Nigel Bates, Michael French returning as David Wicks, Patsy Palmer returning as Bianca Jackson, Ricky Groves returning as Garry Hobbs, Cliff Parisi returning as Minty Peterson, and Ross Kemp returning to play Grant Mitchell.
Sonia’s exit has been playing out this week, with the character’s storyline coming to a close. The Sun has been providing extensive coverage of the developments, and fans have been tuning in to see the conclusion of Sonia’s story. With her exit, the show has seen a significant shift in its narrative, and fans are eager to see what’s next for the characters.
The Sun’s reporting on EastEnders has been comprehensive, providing fans with the latest updates and behind-the-scenes information. As the show continues to celebrate its 40th anniversary, fans can expect more exciting developments and storylines. Brian Conley’s return as Rocky Cotton has been a highlight of the show’s recent episodes, and fans are grateful for the surprise twist.
In conclusion, as reported by The Sun, EastEnders bosses went to great lengths to keep Brian Conley’s return a secret for Sonia Fowler’s exit, and the show has seen a significant shift in its narrative with Sonia’s departure. The Sun has been providing extensive coverage of the developments, and fans have been tuning in to see the conclusion of Sonia’s story. With the show’s 40th anniversary celebration ongoing, fans can expect more exciting developments and storylines in the coming weeks.
