Get the latest OK! breaking news on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More infoJoin us on WhatsApp The drama on Albert Square ramps up for EastEnders’ 40th anniversary with the highly anticipated live episode coming up on Thursday 20 February. Eager fans have noticed a juicy nugget about Sonia’s storyline, thanks to the public vote which closes at 7.10pm. Viewers are voting for the biggest story twist: who Denise should pair up with, Ravi or Jack, and also to name Sonia’s baby daughter – will it be Julia or Toni, honouring the show’s legendary creators, Julia Smith and Tony Holland? Fans, however, seem convinced that the clue in naming Sonia’s baby could signpost her character’s exit from the show. Sonia was last seen in dire straits inside the Vic while in labour, with Bianca and Lauren supporting her. But when her murderous fiancé Reiss turns up, she bravely stands up to him, yelling: “You are a freak, Reiss. You are a murdering freak. You’re not going to be any part of my daughter’s life.”
Sonia was last seen in labour at the Vic
(Image: BBC)
A defensive Bianca thrusts a rolling pin in his direction causing him to stumble backwards, reports the Mirror. Although Reiss appears momentarily out of danger following a minor incident with falling debris, he meets a grisly end when a bathtub crashes down on him – leaving no doubts about his fate after Bianca’s grim confirmation. While Sonia was enduring a tough labour on the show, she confided in Bianca about her baby name choices, revealing she was torn between Julia and Toni (spelled “with an i”). The BBC stirred up excitement among fans by asking “What should Sonia name her baby?” and providing a link for viewers to cast their votes.
Natalie Cassidy has confirmed she is leaving the soap, but how will Sonia make her exit?
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
This led fans to speculate that Sonia might survive long enough to name her newborn. One hopeful viewer tweeted, “Sonia stays alive long enough to give her baby a name then!!” suggesting that despite Natalie Cassidy’s confirmed departure from the soap, her character might have a bit more screen time. Another fan chimed in with optimism, “Sonia has the baby and is ok!” Meanwhile, one eagle-eyed fan shared a theory: “I think Sonia and Bianca will be with the baby and when the Vic is rebuilt they will both leave and rent Dot’s house to Lauren to keep it in the faammmlee.” However, some fans raised concerns over the name Toni, pointing out its unfortunate association with Bianca’s ex and Whitney’s abuser, Tony. “She can’t call her Toni, as if she would name her child after her sister’s creepy ex who abused her niece,” one fan pointed out, while another echoed the sentiment, “Obviously get the sentiment but it’s a bit shite for Whitney if Sonia ends up making her baby have the same name her abuser had.” Amidst the debate, one viewer found humour in the situation, jokingly lamenting the rejection of their humorous suggestion: “Cannot believe they’re doing a vote on Sonia’s baby name. My write in vote for Baby McBabyface doesn’t seem to have been accepted.”
