EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy says she ‘ate for England’ after being paid £100,000 to film weight loss DVD

By Laura Andrew

Senior Reporter

5th Aug 2022, 2:35pm

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Actress Natalie Cassidy lost four stone over four months but then put it back on in just eight weeks.

Natalie Cassidy has spoken out about a weight loss DVD she made in 2007 he soap actress was paid a massive £100,000 to film the workout plan, which claimed participants could lose two and half stone by completing the regime.

Natalie is known for playing Sonia Fowler on EastEnders, which she began in 1993.

She spoke about the DVD which is titled “Natalie Cassidy’s Then and Now” on the Grace Dent podcast.

Natalie said: “I was very overweight and they approached me and said listen, we’re going to give you £100,000, we’re going to get you really fit and you’re going to lose four stone.

Natalie has said she regrets making the DVD about weight-loss. — Natalie has said she regrets making the DVD about weight-loss. | Getty Images

Natalie has said she regrets making the DVD about weight-loss. — Natalie has said she regrets making the DVD about weight-loss. | Getty Images

“I was like happy days, let’s go for it. I just thought, that’s a lot of money; but it wasn’t the right thing to do.

“It wasn’t - you are losing a lot of weight in a three or four month period, twelve or sixteen weeks, low calories and training every day.

“I got there, and as soon as that DVD came out, I ate for England. I put all the weight back on in eight weeks.”

Natalie released another fitness DVD titled The Perfect Ten in 2013.

Natalie Cassidy

Actress

Natalie Cassidy attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 — Natalie Cassidy attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 | Getty Images

Natalie Cassidy attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 — Natalie Cassidy attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 | Getty Images

Natalie is best known for her role as Sonia Fowler on the popular BBC soap EastEnders.

She began the role in 1993 and was a continuous character until 2006 when she took a break.

Natalie came back to the show for a few guest appearances in 2010 and made a permanent return in 2014.

Natalie Ann Cassidy was born on 13 May 1983 in Islington, London
As well as her famous role in EastEnders she has appeared in Psychoville, The Wright Stuff and Five
She even had her own TV show called Natalie Cassidy: Becoming Mum in 2010
In 2012 Natalie took part in Celebrity Big Brother but she did not last long in the competition as she was evicted fifth
Natalie was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 - her partner was Vincent Simone - she came fifth
Her latest acting credit is from the BBC comedy show Mandy which came out in 2020

Natalie spoke to The Mirror about her experience being a child actress: “At 10, I didn’t really know.

“I came into it and knew it was a programme on the television.

“It was just a lovely place to be and get out of school. I used to come along and talk to everyone.”

Connections

James Bye

James Bye attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 — James Bye attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 | Getty Images

James Bye attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 — James Bye attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 | Getty Images

James Bye played Martin Fowler on Eastenders from 2014 onwards.

Martin was Sonia’s husband on the show - the duo had a rocky relationship which led to divorce.

James is a 38-year-old actor from Basingstoke.

June Brown

Actress June Brown poses backstage during the "Inside Soap Awards Party" at La Rascasse — Actress June Brown poses backstage during the "Inside Soap Awards Party" at La Rascasse | Getty Images

Actress June Brown poses backstage during the "Inside Soap Awards Party" at La Rascasse — Actress June Brown poses backstage during the "Inside Soap Awards Party" at La Rascasse | Getty Images

In Eastenders June played the iconic role of Dot Branning - who was Sonia’s step-grandmother.

The pair had a warm and loving relationship on screen.

Sadly, June died on 3 April 2022.

Lindsey Coulson

Actress Lindsey Coulson attends the World Premiere of "Funny Cow" during the 61st BFI London Film Festival on October 9, 2017 — Actress Lindsey Coulson attends the World Premiere of "Funny Cow" during the 61st BFI London Film Festival on October 9, 2017 | getty

Actress Lindsey Coulson attends the World Premiere of "Funny Cow" during the 61st BFI London Film Festival on October 9, 2017 — Actress Lindsey Coulson attends the World Premiere of "Funny Cow" during the 61st BFI London Film Festival on October 9, 2017 | getty

Lindsey played Carol Jackson on Eastenders - Sonia’s mother.

Her most prominent storyline in the show was around breast cancer.

Adam Cottrell

Natalie Cassidy (L) and Adam Cottrell attend the UK Film Premiere of The Karate Kid at Odeon Leicester Square on July 15 — Natalie Cassidy (L) and Adam Cottrell attend the UK Film Premiere of The Karate Kid at Odeon Leicester Square on July 15 | Getty Images

Natalie Cassidy (L) and Adam Cottrell attend the UK Film Premiere of The Karate Kid at Odeon Leicester Square on July 15 — Natalie Cassidy (L) and Adam Cottrell attend the UK Film Premiere of The Karate Kid at Odeon Leicester Square on July 15 | Getty Images

She dated Adam Cottrell between 2009 and 2013.

He was a transport manager from Bristol at the time.

The pair share a daughter and got engaged but decided to split.

Marc Humphreys

Natalie has been dating Marc since 2014 - they announced their engagement in 2016.

The duo had a daughter in August 2016.

Marc is a cameraman and not often spotted in the limelight.

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