EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy wants to be the next Babs and ‘helps new stars with advice’

Natalie Cassidy was still in school when she joined BBC soap EastEnders, with her learning about the industry from co-stars Dame Barbara Windsor and Wendy Richard

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Natalie Cassidy performing in serious prom drama 2009

Natalie Cassidy has said that she is trying to follow in the footsteps of the late Dame Barbara Windsor by helping out her new co-stars as they join her on the set of EastEnders.

The actor, 38, has played Sonia Folower on the BBC show since 1993, with her learning the ropes from Dame Barbara and soap-loving friend Wendy Richard.

Both women had made their name on the soap opera cast, but Natalie was still a schoolgirl when she uttered her first lines in Albert Square.

When asked how it got started on such a big show at such a young age, Natalie said: “At 10 years old, I really didn’t know. I was on and I knew it was a show on the top. TV.”

She continued: “It’s just a lovely place to stay and to leave school. I used to come in and talk to people.”

In a recent interview on BBC Radio 2, she added: “And in deep awareness, I look back at all the legendary people we’ve lost now, Dame Barbara Windsor and Wendy Richard.”

“Things I’ve learned from those women, and I hope to pass on that and teach young people,” Natalie said.

The actor knows exactly what it feels like to be a new kid on the E20 block and says she’s happy to have the show’s newest rookies under her support.

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She commented in the interview: “I want to make myself known as soon as someone joins. I think it’s a tough place to work. We’re so used to people and that’s it. an organization.”

“People walk in, I greet them warmly. I give them my phone number and say, ‘If there’s anything you want or you need any advice, give me a ring,'” she said. he added.

The actor continued, “I think that’s really important.” However, she revealed that the offer wasn’t always taken advantage of, with her claiming: “Some people don’t call me.”

Dame Barbara – affectionately known as Babs – played Queen Vic’s hostess Peggy Mitchell from 1994 to 2016. The actor died of Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, aged 83.

Wendy played Pauline Fowler on the BBC, joining as an original cast member in 1985. She remained on the show until 2006 and died of breast cancer in 2009.

Natalie’s comments come amid a new schedule for EastEnders, which kicked off last night. The changes are coming following the change of time slots for BBC and ITV soaps.

EastEnders is currently showing Monday through Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One. ITV rival Coronation Street now airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm.

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