Natalie Cassidy to return to Eastenders?

Natalie Cassidy is reportedly close to signing a deal to return to Eastenders as Sonia Fowler.

It looks like the 30-year-old actress is set to return to the Square in the New Year as part of a shake up by the soap's new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins.

Since Treadwell-Collins replaced Lorraine Newman at the helm, he has made some major changes at Eastenders, including writing out a number of characters, bringing in a new love interest for Bianca Butcher, and casting Shirley Carter's family - including Danny Dyer as her brother Mick.

Sonia was last seen in Walford in 2011 when she returned for a guest appearance. She original played the role for 14 years between 1993 and 2007.