Natalie Cassidy has been one of soapland’s most recognizable faces for over 20 years. The London-born actor played schoolgirl Sonia Fowler in Albert Square from 1993.
Leaving EastEnders may have meant she would no longer be seen on British TV screens a few nights a week, but hardworking Natalie didn’t quit. She went from soaps to fitness and beyond Strictly.
And tonight (Wednesday), the 40-year-old mother will appear as a guest mentor on BBC Two’s new reality show Bring the Drama. The show, hosted by Bill Bailey, sees eight aspiring actors spend six weeks mentored by casting directors as they work on the sets of some of Britain’s best-loved dramas.
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Here’s everything you need to know about Natalie.
When did you first see Natalie Cassidy on screen?
Nat, a drama school graduate from Islington, made her big TV break in 1993 when she played Sonia Fowler in EastEnders from the age of 10. She is known for learning to play the trumpet, and she quickly became a fan favorite.
During her 14 years in the role, she was embroiled in infidelity, feuds, bereavement, family troubles, a teenage pregnancy, and a cancer scare. Sonia became pregnant at the age of 15 and gave her baby up for adoption, but her fiancé Jamie Mitchell was run over and killed.
Natalie left the soap in 2007 and her character is said to have moved to Manchester. She returned to the square for another year as Sonia in 2009, but she then left, but in 2014 she came back again and is currently playing a role when needed in the storyline. I started visiting the square regularly.
How did she become known as the face of the fitness world?
The actor became known as a fitness guru after leaving the soap in 2007. She recorded her DVD Natalie Her Cassidy’s Workouts Then and Now and in 2008 appeared in the documentary Natalie Her Cassidy’s Diet Secrets.
After completing the London Marathon in honor of Dame Barbara Windsor in 2023, Natalie wrote on Instagram: “I’ve never been a sports person. I’ve always been teased about my ever-changing weight.” he posted.
In an interview with Grace Dent on the Comfort Eating podcast, Natalie admitted that she had previously been offered large sums of money to stay healthy.
“They came up to me because I was so fat and said, listen, we’ll give you £100,000, we’ll get you really fit and you’re going to lose four stone. I said, “I was like happy days,” she said. “It’s a lot of money, but it wasn’t the right thing to do.”
After the weight loss and the release of the DVD, she confessed, “I ate for England. I gained the weight back in eight weeks.”
What is her family situation like?
Natalie is a mother of two and has been dating photographer Mark Humphries since 2014. In an interview, she told the Daily Mirror that her daughter was reluctant to follow in her footsteps as an actress.
“I don’t want her to do that because I don’t know what it’s like to not be recognized. It’s not a bad thing because I’m used to it, but I want her to maintain her anonymity.
“I think that’s important. I want her to have it for the rest of her life, really. I don’t want her to have what I had.”
What reality show did she appear on?
From Walford to Blackpool, Natalie appeared on BBC One’s hit dance show in 2009. She was partnered with pro Vincent Simone and took fifth place.
A few years later, she competed on Celebrity Big Brother and finished in 8th place. She was in the house with eventual winner Dennis Welsh, as well as Michael Madsen and Frankie Cocozza.
Tonight Natalie will appear on BBC Two’s new reality show Bring the Drama. The show, hosted by Bill Bailey, follows eight aspiring actors who are mentored over six weeks by Kelly Valentine-Hendry, a casting director on the set of some of Britain’s best-loved dramas. be.
The first episode will see the contestants open up to the world of the soap and undergo a baptism of fire on their way to EastEnders. So guest mentor Natalie wants to show her true emotions on camera as she recreates one of her best scenes as Sonia Fowler.
Natalie told fans on Instagram: “I’m so happy to be joining the new series starting tonight at 9pm on @bbctwo. I’m going to fall in love with it.”
“These are people who have always wanted to act but never had the opportunity to realize their dreams. It’s great to be able to work with people like this and help them in the field.
“Tonight is the episode where they come to the square…I’m really looking forward to it. Enjoy it and let me know what you think.”
Bring the Drama will be broadcast on Wednesday February 14th at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer