A busy week in Walford sees Mick, Fi and Shirley appoint a new barmaid for The Vic

EastEnders fans were aghast when popular barmaid Tracey was sacked earlier this year as part of Fi's shake-up at The Vic. But could she soon be pulling pints again? She's in the frame for the barmaid vacancy at the pub, but with Fi on the interview panel, will she be given her old job back?

Elsewhere in the Square, Sonia frets about Bex, Louise has her nose put out of joint, and Steven steps up his stalking of Lauren. Not that he's paranoid or anything…

At The Vic, Tracey is interviewed by Mick, Shirley and Fi for the barmaid vacancy.

Earlier, Karen expresses her interest in the job to Mick and Shirley

Earlier, Karen expresses her interest in the job to Mick and Shirley

But instead, she manages to find work at Beale's

Meanwhile, Mick is still wary of some of the changes Fi is introducing at The Vic

Elsewhere, a somewhat anxious Jack leaves Amy and Ricky in the hands of their new nanny, Ingrid

In hospital, Dot is alarmed when Sonia suggests that Robbie move in with them

Heading to The Vic, Robbie tries to build a relationship with the market traders

Upstairs, the interviews are under way and Shirley is confident the job is Tracey's. But is it?

At the cafe, Martin offers Sonia the opportunity to get more involved in Bex's life

Sonia then arranges a meeting with Bex's teacher, Mr Pryce

Back at the cafe, Louise is dismayed to hear Alexandra is set to upstage her at the school's end-of-term showcase

Will Alexandra seize her chance to get closer to Travis?

As Steven's paranoia grows, he gives unwitting Lauren a phone charger enabling him to spy on her

Looking on, Abi can't understand why Steven doesn't dump Lauren and make her his girlfriend

But as Lauren and Josh have a heart to heart, will Steven regret his spying? Find out in EastEnders on BBC1 from Monday, July 3

Sonia Fowler is on the warpath after finding out her daughter Bex is being bullied. Monday's episode will see the protective mother confronting Louise.

EastEnders’ Sonia Fowler is on the warpath after discovering that her daughter’s tormentor is the teenager’s closest friend.

Sonia has been away working in Kettering while Natalie Cassidy, the actress who plays her, was on maternity leave, but returned to Walford when daughter Bex called her in tears asking for help.

Bex (Jasmine Armfield) has been the victim of bullying by a group of girls that includes her former best friend, Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper), and trouble is brewing as Sonia is about to confront Louise.

Sonia, who has finally managed to get the identities of the bullies out of Bex, storms up to Louise and stepmother Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) in the street, pointing angrily at the teenager.

As the row escalates, how will Sharon react to the news that Louise has been abusive to her former close friend?

Fans of the BBC1 soap saw a despairing Bex call her mother, begging for help, following a new development in her storyline which saw the bullies offer her a truffle that turned out to be cat poo and post the video of her eating it online.

Bex has also been having a tough time romantically after discovering that her American boyfriend, Preston, had been cheating on her with her aunt, Michelle.

EastEnders viewers will see Sonia confront Louise in Monday’s episode at 8pm.

When the truth about Louise's role in the bullying of Bex emerges, she's urged to patch things up with her old friend

Poor Bex Fowler has endured a living nightmare lately, her life becoming increasingly miserable in the face of bullying from Louise and her unsavoury friends Alexandra and Madison in EastEnders. But when Sonia learns Louise is involved in the campaign against her daughter, she takes action, and it's not long before Louise's stepmum, Sharon, is encouraging the bully to apologise.

But can Bex ever find it in her to forgive her tormentor?

At the allotments, Louise attempts to mend fences with Bex. Can their friendship blossom again?

At the allotments, Louise attempts to mend fences with Bex. Can their friendship blossom again?

Earlier, Sonia presses her daughter for information about the bullying – and learns that Louise is involved

Horrified by the revelation, Martin comforts Bex

Sharon is equally disgusted to hear of Louise's actions and gives her a piece of her mind

She tells her stepdaughter that she should apologise to Bex

Louise insists it's too late…

…but after Sonia pays a visit to the school, Louise has a change of heart

Later, when the schoolgirls bump into each other, Louise thanks Bex for not dropping her in it at school

But after her appalling ordeal, can Bex bring herself to forgive Louise? Catch all the drama on BBC1 from Easter Monday

EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy is expecting her second child – and her first with fiancé Marc Humphreys.

The 32-year-old actress made the announcement on Twitter and said the baby is due in the summer.

Natalie Cassidy (Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

She wrote: “Evening all… Time to let everybody know that @cameramarc and I are having a baby in the summer. The three musketeers become four.”

Natalie has a five-year-old daughter called Eliza from a previous relationship.

As well as starring in reality show Natalie Cassidy: Becoming Mum on Channel 4, she has released a top-selling fitness DVD and has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.

Natalie is currently on TV in EastEnders as Sonia Fowler, who is in a relationship with Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White).

Her pregnancy will mean an exit for Sonia… Whether or not that's permanent – and with or without Tina – remains to be seen.

Robbie Jackson (Dean Gaffney) left EastEnders 12 years ago for a new life in India with then girlfriend Nita Mistry and her son, Anish. The couple married some time later, and the last we heard they had a new baby, but that was a few months after Robbie made a brief return to Albert Square for sister Bianca's wedding to Ricky Butcher in 2010.

It's a bit of a surprise, then, when Robbie suddenly reappears unannounced in the Square next week. The big question is, can sister Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) and mum Carol (Lindsey Coulson) get to the bottom of why's he back?

After another stressful day following brother Max's trial at the court, Carol returns home and is shocked to find her son, Robbie, waiting for her. But when she asks what's going on, he's not very forthcoming.

Later, Sonia gets to the bottom of her brother's sudden return when she catches him stealing from her purse. He reveals he's broke and Nita has left him!

Robbie's attitude and actions worry Sonia, who's concerned because she wants to help him if there's any way she can.

Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw White) appears on the scene, and Sonia's persistence eventually pays off when Robbie finally comes clean that he's got problems back in India.

Having opened up to Sonia, Robbie feels more at ease with mum Carol and tries to explain his situation to her.

It looks like mother and son are getting their relationship back on track.

But Robbie's in for a nasty shock when Carol learns exactly why he's back in Walford… And she tells him to pack his bags!

Find out in EastEnders on BBC1 from Monday, September 21.

Sonia celebrates her birthday - and sleeps with Martin!

There's big trouble brewing in Albert Square when Sonia and Tina lock lips...

It's been on the cards for a while, but Tina Carter and Sonia Fowler are set to take their friendship to the next level in EastEnders.

The pals – played by Luisa Bradshaw-White and Natalie Cassidy – grow closer as they open up to each other about their family troubles and the girls end up sharing a passionate kiss!

Sonia and Tina share another kiss (BBC)

With emotions running high, Tina and Sonia seek comfort in each other’s arms.

The pair shared a kiss last year, when Tina was in a relationship with Tosh and Sonia was having marriage problems with her hubby Martin. But now that Tina's abusive girlfriend has left the Square and Sonia and Martin have realised that their marriage is over, the path is clear for a romance between the two women.

So will they finally admit that they have feelings for one another and agree to be more than just good friends?

These scenes will air on BBC One on Tuesday 17 March.

EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy has told whatsontv.co.uk that she believes the show recently went through a difficult time.

Speaking to us at the British Soap Awards the actress, who plays Sonia Fowler in the BBC soap, added that the addition of executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins had meant "you can see a change in the show".

On returning to Albert Square after seven years, Cassidy said: "I feel so happy and grateful. It's the best place in the world to work.

"I think i've just grown as a person, and I'm a mum now so you go back with lots of different experience, which is great."

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy says she was “naive” about her character Sonia’s earlier lesbian storyline, but is happier with Sonia’s latest liaison with a woman.

Viewers might have got a shock when sensible Sonia locked lips with Tina Carter in a recent episode.

But Natalie is quick to remind people that Sonia has dabbled with the fairer sex before.

“I don't know where [the storyline’s] going but, at the time, it felt right for Sonia to do that. Sonia’s dabbled with women in the past,” Natalie, 30, said on BBC Breakfast.

Back in 2005, Sonia shared a kiss with nurse Naomi Julien, a storyline that Natalie wasn’t totally happy with.

“When I was younger, I think I was a little naive. As an actress and as the character I thought, ‘Well, actually, I’m not sure if Sonia would do this’,” she said.

“Now, because I’ve had that past and I’ve got that background, that’s why this [storyline] works.”

Mum-of-one Natalie returned to EastEnders as Sonia this year, after her screen mother Carol Jackson was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The actress first appeared as trumpet-playing Sonia in 1993, left in 2007, and then made brief appearances in 2010 and 2011, before her recent return.

Natalie praised BBC1 for the soap’s strong storylines, including the recent murder of Lucy Beale, reports the Mirror newspaper.

“I think the show’s really good at the moment. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the show - that’s how it should be. EastEnders should be like that and people are talking about it again. It’s an exciting place to be,” she said.

Natalie Cassidy has returned to EastEnders as Sonia Jackson to be part of a very emotional storyline… And Natalie was full of praise for Lindsey Coulson, the actresss at the centre of the story, when she appeared on the Lorraine show.

"Lindsey is the best actress that EastEnders has got," said Natalie.

‘I'm not being biased because she plays my mum but I think she's absolutely incredible and they picked the best person for the role. Hopefully myself and Patsy [Palmer - Bianca] can support her."

Natalie added that she felt a responsibility to do a good job: "Cancer touches everybody you talk to; everyone knows someone who has some form of cancer. I've had a family member with cancer, and a dear dear friend had breast cancer."

Natalie also talked about what it was like returning to the soap.

"It's just like coming home," she said. "And I'm very grateful to be back."

EastEnders' Carol Jackson is set to bring daughter Sonia Fowler back to Albert Square when she confides in her about her illness.

Carol (Lindsey Coulson) goes to visit daughter Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) at her house and tells her that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer - closely followed by Bianca (Patsy Palmer), who turns up not long afterwards.

Sitting with her daughters, Carol insists that she is coping well with the news, but when Sonia's daughter Rebecca starts playing the guitar for them, she breaks down in tears.

Natalie left her role as a regular cast member in EastEnders in 2007 and has made two brief appearances since, but recently said she was excited to be back.

She said: "After seven years being out of the show, apart from the odd episode, I am extremely excited and honoured to be making a full-time return.

"I feel so lucky as an actress to get back to my roots. With Dominic [Treadwell-Collins] as executive producer, it's such an exciting time for the show. I cannot wait to work with Patsy and Lindsey again. Bring it on!"

The scenes at Sonia's house are due to screen on EastEnders on Wednesday, January 15.

EastEnders have confirmed Sonia Fowler's daughter Rebecca will be with her when she returns to Walford.

It has been announced by soap bosses that actress Jasmine Armfield has been cast as Sonia's 13-year-old daughter, the child she had following a one-night stand with Martin Fowler, who went on to become her husband.

Natalie Cassidy is set to return as Sonia to Albert Square in the new year after splitting from Martin, who was played by Jame Alexandrou.

Rebecca Fowler is described as a well-behaved teenager, but also has a determined streak and a reputation as 'a little fighter'.

A statement from EastEnders revealed: "A bright child who is passionate about music, Rebecca can play the guitar beautifully, but is not someone who would blow her own trumpet.

"She wants to do well in life and make her parents proud, but it's this determination that will be the making or undoing of her."

Sonia gave birth to Rebecca in 2000 on the living room floor when she didn't even know she was pregnant.

Natalie played Sonia for 14 years until 2007 and has since made several guest appearances. But it was announced in October she is to return full time.

The actress said: "After seven years being out of the show, apart from the odd episode, I am extremely excited and honoured to be making a full-time return.

"I feel so lucky as an actress to get back to my roots. With Dominic [Treadwell-Collins] as executive producer, it's such an exciting time for the show."

Natalie Cassidy is making a full comeback to EastEnders, seven years after she moved out of Walford.

The 30-year-old actress will reprise her role as Sonia Fowler when she returns to Albert Square in January next year.

Natalie has made occasional guest appearances in EastEnders - most recently in January 2011 - but is now to make a full-time return, accompanied by her character's daughter Rebecca.

The BBC said she will be involved in a 'gripping storyline' which centres on the women of the Butcher household.

She is the latest addition to the cast under new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, who has recently recruited Danny Dyer as the new landlord of the Queen Vic.

Natalie, who made her first appearance on EastEnders almost 20 years ago, said: "After seven years being out of the show, apart from the odd episode, I am extremely excited and honoured to be making a full-time return.

"I feel so lucky as an actress to get back to my roots. With Dominic as executive producer, it's such an exciting time for the show. I cannot wait to work with Patsy (Palmer who plays Sonia's sister Bianca Butcher) and Lindsey (Coulson who plays Sonia's mum Carol Jackson) again. Bring it on."

Viewers saw Sonia at the centre of numerous dramas over the years. She gave birth to Rebecca after failing to realise she was pregnant, and then put her up for adoption.

She and the baby's father, Martin Fowler, then regained custody and headed to Manchester, but she has popped back to the show to reveal how their relationship has been on the rocks.

In her time away from EastEnders, Natalie has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and has been the face of the Health Lottery on Channel 5.

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