Natalie Ann Cassidy (born 13 May 1983)[1] is an English actress and television personality. She is known for her role as Sonia Fowler in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She has also appeared in the BBC Two sitcom-horror series Psychoville in 2009 and was a contestant on the reality shows Strictly Come Dancing (2009), Celebrity Big Brother (2012) and The Masked Singer (2025).
Natalie Cassidy | |
|---|---|
 Cassidy in 2011 | |
| Born | Natalie Ann Cassidy 13 May 1983 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | Role of Sonia Fowler in EastEnders |
| Children | 2 |
Career
As a child, Cassidy attended the Anna Scher Theatre.[2] 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 BBC Two comedy sketch series The Catherine Tate Show. On 9 April 2006, the BBC announced Cassidy's departure from EastEnders with her final scenes airing in February 2007. She then focused on work in the theatre, appearing in the UK tours of The Vagina Monologues, Bedroom Farce and Gertrude's Secret, as well as a run of The Cherry Orchard at the Chichester Festival Theatre.[3]
Towards the end of 2007, Cassidy made headlines after losing a considerable amount of weight, and released a fitness DVD titled Natalie Cassidy's Then and Now Workout.[4] In 2008, she starred in the BBC Three documentary Natalie Cassidy's Diet Secrets. In 2008, she was a regular panellist on Five's The Wright Stuff. Later that year, she again gained press coverage for giving up her diet and regaining weight.[5] In 2009, Cassidy was cast in a supporting role in the BBC Two comedy television series Psychoville, alongside Dawn French and Eileen Atkins. She also provided the voice-over for BBC Three's Underage and Pregnant.
On 25 October 2009, it was announced that Cassidy would reprise her role as Sonia in EastEnders in 2010.[6] She returned to the series for a short stint between 8 and 18 February 2010, and again for a single episode in 2011.[7] In 2010, E4 announced that they would produce Cassidy's own reality show, Natalie Cassidy: Becoming Mum.[8] On 5 January 2012, she participated in series nine of Celebrity Big Brother, and was the fifth housemate to be evicted. Prior to returning to EastEnders full-time, Cassidy was the host of The Health Lottery, a competition broadcast on Channel 5.[9] She made a permanent return to EastEnders in 2014.[10]
In August 2020, Cassidy appeared in the BBC comedy series Mandy.[11] She also guest-starred in a 2021 episode of the BBC sitcom Motherland.[12] In 2025, she competed in series six of The Masked Singer as Bush, reaching the semi-final.[13] Around the same time, she announced that she would again be leaving her role as Sonia in EastEnders.[14]
Strictly Come Dancing
In 2009, Cassidy signed up to compete in series seven of Strictly Come Dancing.[15] She was partnered with professional Vincent Simone, and finished in fifth place.
| Week # | Dance/song | Judges' score | Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craig Revel Horwood | Len Goodman | Alesha Dixon | Bruno Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Group Mambo | Group performance – not judged | ||||
| 2 | Tango / "Spider of the Night" | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 24, 26 (safe) |
| Cha Cha Cha / "Bang Bang" | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | ||
| 3 | Paso Doble / "Malagueña" | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 28 (safe) |
| 4 | Salsa / "You'll Be Mine (Party Time)" | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 29 (safe) |
| 5 | Viennese Waltz / "At Last" | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 27 (safe) |
| 6 | American Smooth / "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 29 (safe) |
| 7 | Jive / "Good Golly Miss Molly" | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 30 (safe) |
| 8 | Quickstep / "Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano" | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 31 (safe) |
| 9 | Foxtrot / "Magic Moments" | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 34 (safe) |
| 10 | Samba / "Holiday" | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 26 (safe) |
| 11 | Rock and Roll / "Long Tall Sally" | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 26 (eliminated) |
In popular culture
In 2012, the Channel 4 comedy show Very Important People featured a spoof reality show segment entitled "Natalie Cassidy Is Doing This Now", which showed its subject engaged in various menial and humorous situations, for example hosing out bins, sorting through old pens, and taking her spare change to Coinstar. The role of Natalie Cassidy was played by comedian Morgana Robinson. Robinson also appeared as Cassidy in an episode of the comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown in 2019.
In 2013, she was also impersonated by impressionist Philip Green on series seven of Britain's Got Talent.[16]
Personal life
Between 2009 and 2013, Cassidy was in an on-off relationship with Adam Cottrell, a transport manager from Bristol. They have a daughter together. In 2011, Cottrell was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to assault and criminal damage for attacking Cassidy at their home in Hertfordshire.[17] He was also given a restraining order banning him from contacting Cassidy for two years.[18] They reunited and became engaged, after Cassidy gave him a "sober up or leave" ultimatum, but they split up permanently in 2013.[19]
Since 2014, Cassidy has been in a relationship with cameraman Marc Humphreys. In October 2015, it was announced that the couple were engaged, and a few months later, on 13 February 2016, Cassidy revealed she was pregnant with her second child.[20] She gave birth to their daughter in August 2016.[21]
In January 2019, it was announced that she would be running the London Marathon with some of her EastEnders co-stars for a dementia campaign in honour of their former castmate Barbara Windsor.[22]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–2007, 2010–2011, 2014–2025 |
EastEnders | Sonia Fowler | Regular role |
| 1999 | Pudding Lane | Charity special | |
| 2004 | Natalie Cassidy Goes Wild in Australia | Herself | Documentary |
| 2006 | The Catherine Tate Show | Cheerleader | Episode: "1951–2006" |
| 2008 | Natalie Cassidy's Diet Secrets | Herself | Documentary |
| The Wright Stuff | Regular panellist | ||
| 2009 | Things Talk | Sofa / Satsuma | Voice role |
| Psychoville | Lorraine | 2 episodes | |
| Natalie Cassidy's Real Britain | Presenter | 6 episodes | |
| Strictly Come Dancing | Herself | Series 7 contestant | |
| 2010 | Natalie Cassidy: Becoming Mum | Main role | |
| 2009–2011 | Underage and Pregnant | Narrator; 22 episodes | |
| 2012 | Celebrity Big Brother | Series 9 contestant | |
| Crime Stories | Hannah Stevenson | Series 1, episode 15 | |
| 2020 | Mandy | Donna Ball | Episode: "Broadsword to Donna Ball" |
| 2021 | RuPaul's Drag Race UK | Herself | Episode: "BeastEnders" |
| Motherland | Ms Vaughn | Episode: "School Trip" | |
| 2022 | The Train[23] | Passenger | Web miniseries; episode: "Autumn" |
| 2025 | The Masked Singer | Herself / Bush | Series 6 contestant |
| Boarders | Sharon Hail | Series 2, episode 5 |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Natalie Cassidy's Then and Now Workout | Herself / Presenter | Fitness DVD |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated for | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | British Soap Awards | Best Actress | EastEnders | Won | [24] |
| 2001 | TV Quick Awards | Best Soap Actress | Won | [25] | |
| 2003 | British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | [26] | |
| 2003 | British Soap Awards | Best Dramatic Performance | Nominated | [26] | |
| 2003 | National Television Awards | Most Popular Actress | Nominated | [27] | |
| 2004 | British Soap Awards | Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress | Won | [28] | |
| 2005 | TV Quick and TV Choice Awards | Best Soap Actress | Nominated | [29] | |
| 2006 | National Television Awards | Most Popular Actress | Nominated | [30] |
See also
References
- ^ "Natalie Cassidy. Biography, news, photos and videos". hellomagazine.com. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ Dimitrova, Atina. "Anna Scher: Legendary Islington theatre teacher (and one-time Gazette writer) looks back on half century of drama". Islington Gazette. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ "Charlotte Riley becomes star of stage and screen". gazettelive. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ Reynolds, Mark (13 March 2018). "Which weight-loss DVDs are fit for purpose?". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ "Natalie Cassidy puts on weight again". Now Magazine. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
- ^ Green, Kris (25 October 2009). "The Jacksons return to 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (17 December 2010). "Sonia to make one-off 'Enders return". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ "TV Guide". Sky.
- ^ "Natalie Cassidy...the new face of The Health Lottery". Daily Express. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (6 January 2014). "EastEnders pictures: Carol visits Sonia". Digital Spy.
- ^ "This EastEnders LEGEND joins Diane Morgan in BBC comedy Mandy". What's on TV. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
- ^ "Motherland: Series 3, Ep. 4/5 – School Trip". BBC. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ Berry, Joanna (8 February 2025). "The Masked Singer double elimination sees Bush revealed as Natalie Cassidy". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "EastEnders icon Natalie Cassidy quits role of Sonia after 32 years". Radio Times. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (28 July 2009). "Natalie Cassidy tipped for 'Strictly'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
- ^ Fletcher, Alex (10 May 2013). "'Got Talent' impressionist gets big laughs as Cassidy, Spence – watch". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
- ^ Duncan, Amy (22 June 2011). "Natalie Cassidy's ex Adam Cottrell given two-year restraining order". Metro. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ "Natalie Cassidy fiance Adam Cottrell sentenced for assault". BBC. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ Percival, Ashley (13 May 2013). "Natalie Cassidy Engaged To Abusive Ex Adam Cottrell". Huffington Post. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ Cassidy, Natalie (12 February 2016). "Evening all... Time to let everybody know that @cameramarc and I are having a baby in the summer. The three musketeers become four".
- ^ Boult, Adam (30 August 2016). "Natalie Cassidy celebrates birth of baby girl". The Telegraph.
- ^ "EastEnders stars to run marathon for Dame Barbara Windsor". BBC News. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- ^ "BBC Studios and Baby Cow Productions announce two brand new comedy shorts set to debut online". BBC. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
- ^ "EastEnders triumph at UK soap awards". BBC News. 26 May 2001. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
- ^ "EastEnders triumph at TV awards". BBC News. 11 September 2001. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ^ a b "The British Soap Awards 2003". Celebrities Worldwide. 10 May 2003. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
- ^ "National Television Awards 2003". ITV plc. Archived from the original on 1 August 2003. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ "British Soap Awards 2004 – winners list". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Welcome to the TVQuick & TVChoice Awards 2005!". TV Quick. H Bauer Publishing. Archived from the original on 26 May 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
- ^ "National Television Awards". thecustard.tv. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
External links
