From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Natalie Ann Cassidy (born on 13 May 1983) is an English actress and television personality, best known for playing the role of Sonia Fowler in the British soap opera EastEnders. For the role, Cassidy won two British Soap Awards - Best Actress in 2001 and Best dramatic performance from a young actor or actress in 2004, as well as a TV Quick and Choice Award for Best Soap Actress in 2001.

Career

As a child, Cassidy attended Anna Scher Theatre.^{[citation needed]} She joined the cast of EastEnders in 1993, playing Sonia Jackson. In 2006, she played a rival to Lauren Cooper in an episode of The Catherine Tate Show screened on BBC Two. On 9 April 2006, the BBC announced Cassidy's departure from EastEnders with her final scenes being screened in February 2007. She then concentrated on work in the theatre, appearing in extensive UK tours of The Vagina Monologues, Bedroom Farce and Gertrude's Secret opposite Prunella Scales and a run of The Cherry Orchard at the Chichester Festival Theatre opposite Diana Rigg.

Towards the end of 2007, Cassidy made headlines after losing a lot of weight, and released a fitness DVD entitled Natalie Cassidy's Then and Now Workout, which became the fastest-selling weight-loss DVD ever in the UK.^{[citation needed]} In 2008, she appeared in the documentary Natalie Cassidy's Diet secrets for BBC Three. In 2008 she appeared as a regular panelist on the topical discussion series The Wright Stuff on Five. Later in 2008 she gained press coverage for giving up her diet and regaining considerable weight.^[1][2] Her personal trainer stated that Cassidy had "slipped back into her old habits" and that she was "really disappointed."^[2]

In 2009, Cassidy was seen in a supporting role in the BBC Two comedy TV series Psychoville, alongside Dawn French and Eileen Atkins. The first episode was aired in June 2009. She also provided the voice-over for BBC Three's Underage and Pregnant.

In 2009, Cassidy signed up for a series of Strictly Come Dancing, beginning in October.^[3][4] Her professional partner was Vincent Simone and she was voted off the competition in 11th place on 28 November 2009. Cassidy joined ex-EastEnders actor James Alexandrou and Nina Wadia to create comedy shorts for BBC Raw Words, an adult literacy website. The series of video clips about story writing also included appearances from Lenny Henry and Rowland Rivron.

On 25 October 2009 it was announced that Cassidy would reprise her role as Sonia in EastEnders in 2010 with her on screen family Lindsey Coulson who played Carol Jackson, Dean Gaffney who played Robbie Jackson and Devon Anderson as Billie Jackson. The Jackson family will be reunited with Patsy Palmer who rejoined the soap in 2008 as Bianca Jackson.^[5][6] Her on-screen return was aired on 8 February 2010.

Strictly Come Dancing

Personal life

In 2002 19-year-old Cassidy lost her mother to bowel cancer. From then on she became extremely close to her EastEnders co-star Wendy Richard, often referring to her as her "second mum". Richard died in February 2009, having lost her battle with cancer, which left Cassidy close to a nervous breakdown. ^[7]

In September 2004, Cassidy underwent a breast enhancement operation, transforming her from a 36A to 36D. ^[8]

On 16 March 2010, Cassidy announced that she was 12 weeks pregnant with her first child by her boyfriend of nine months, transport manager Adam Cottrell.^{[9][10][11][12][13]}

References

External links

• Natalie Cassidy at the Internet Movie Database
• Natalie's writing tips on BBC raw words