sonia fowler, played by natalie cassidy, is the youngest daughter of carol jackson (lindsey coulson). her first appearance is on 2 december 1993 and she leaves on 2 february 2007. however, she returns briefly in 2010 along with other members of the jackson family and re-appears on the soap from 8 to 18 february 2010. she returns again for a single episode on 21 january 2011. natalie cassidy won the award for "best actress" for the role of sonia, at the 2001 "british soap awards". additionally, in 2004, cassidy was awarded "best dramatic performance by a young actor or actress" for the role. referencing sonia's foray into lesbianism in 2005, tv critic grace dent branded the character "the worst lesbian ever", adding, "the only lesbians with less lesbian tendencies than you are the women on the front cover of the horny triple-x lesbian specials which they keep at eye level by the sweets in my corner shop. time to make a u-turn." lesbian website afterellen.com was also critical of the storyline that saw sonia experimenting with her sexuality and then returning to her heterosexual orientation shortly after.