NATALIE CASSIDY SHARES SAD ADMISSION ABOUT MUM'S DEATH MONTHS AFTER EASTENDERS EXIT

Natalie Cassidy has disclosed how penning her memoir assisted her in processing the heartbreak of losing both her parents.

The EastEnders star has graced our television screens for three decades, but she's now revealed intimate details about her life away from Albert Square.

She has offered supporters a glimpse into the peaks and valleys of her career in a candid new autobiography entitled Happy Days, where she discusses everything from departing her beloved role as Sonia Fowler to her battles with body image.

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Natalie featured on Sunday Brunch on October 12 to discuss her latest venture and shared that the writing process proved therapeutic following the deaths of her mother and father.

Speaking to presenters Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer, Natalie explained: "It was quite cathartic, it really was because you join the pieces.", reports the Mirror.

"It's a bit like a puzzle I think and because I've been in this business for over 30 years, from such a young age at 10, just to piece it all together and write it down was very good, especially with the grief of my parents.

"I lost my mum at 19 and I didn't really deal with that grief and then I lost my beautiful dad four years ago but he lived with me and I cared for him and I took him out in the world and it was an amazing privilege but writing it all down, I was like 'oh my goodness', I didn't deal with my mum at all until that happened and it pieced it all together for me."

Natalie has shared that her book not only gives a glimpse into her life behind the scenes of the popular BBC One soap, but it's also brimming with tips, lists and recipes from her personal life.

In January, it was announced that Natalie would be bidding farewell to EastEnders after an impressive 32 years portraying Sonia Fowler.

Her final scenes, which saw her character Sonia jet off to Bali, were broadcast during the soap's 40th anniversary week in February.

Natalie first graced Albert Square in 1993 when she was just 10 years old, staying with the show until 2007.

She made a comeback for a year in 2010 until 2011, before leaving once more and returning in 2014, up until her departure earlier this year.

Sunday Brunch airs weekly on Channel 4 at 10am

2025-10-12T13:00:18Z