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EastEnders: Poignant significance behind Sonia’s baby name

Sonia Fowler gave birth in EastEnders last night - marking 40 years of the long-running BBC soap by welcoming Sonia's baby.

In 1983, they came up with the concept for EastEnders, after being approached by BBC bosses to come up with a soap which could compete with ITV favourites Coronation Street, Crossroads and Emmerdale Farm. As well as the birth of Julia and death of Martin, the soap also marked the exit of villain Reiss Colwell – killed by a falling bathtub. Next week’s episode picks up the pieces, with Cindy demanding answers after learning Kathy had attacked her – herself holding the blame after pushing Ian in front of Reiss’s car, causing the whole explosion.

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