Natalie Cassidy shocked fans when she revealed her daughter Eliza, 10, secretly joined the Junior Bake Off

NATALIE Cassidy surprised fans tonight when she revealed her daughter Eliza had secretly joined the Junior Bake Off show.

The EastEnders actress, 38, only shared the news that it was her daughter this evening when she sadly lost her place in the tent.

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She admits she initially dashed Eliza’s hopes of even being on the show – but now she’s filled with admiration and says she’s “the proudest mother alive” .

Sharing a picture of a boy holding a mixing bowl and whisk, Natalie was emotional: “This is Eliza. She was 10 years old and decided to enter junior class. I said, oh Eliza, you’ll never make it through, thousands of applicants apply and I don’t want you to be disappointed. She passed.

“And her confidence, determination and maturity blew me away. I am proud of my daughters every day. But watching one of them be kind and help the others in the tent every night this week, has made me the proudest mother alive.

“I haven’t talked about it much- It has nothing to do with me. This is her adventure. Thanks to @britishbakeoff for having her and taking great care of her throughout the process. My advice to all. When your child wants to do something, don’t stop them. Dream come true. ♥ ️🧁🎂🍰 ”

Her followers were shocked to discover Eliza’s very famous mother after watching her on the show.

One wrote: “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know she was your daughter. Love her, she is so adorable and so funny. An absolute trust for you ❤. ”

Another added: “Aww, I didn’t realize Eliza was your daughter! Yesterday I told my daughter (also a budding baker, she is in fact practicing baking at 8pm on Friday!!)

While another commented: “Oh, I didn’t realize this was your daughter @ natcass1 ….. you must be a proud mother. She is a lovely girl and very helpful, friendly and quite honestly kept me stitching all week. ”

Natalie has shared Eliza with ex-boyfriend Adam Cottrell and she is also Joanie’s mother to her husband – EastEnders cinematographer Marc Humphreys.

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