Natalie Cassidy

Natalie Ann Cassidy (born on 13 May 1983) is an English actress and television personality, best known for playing the role of Sonia Fowler in the British soap opera EastEnders. For the role, Cassidy won two British Soap Awards - Best Actress in 2001 and Best dramatic performance from a young actor or actress in 2004, as well as a TV Quick and Choice Award for Best Soap Actress in 2001.

As a child, Cassidy attended Anna Scher Theatre School alongside other future EastEnders cast members Joe Swash (Mickey Miller), Brooke Kinsella (Kelly Taylor), and James Alexandrou (Martin Fowler) She made her first appearance on the BBC on the later to be banned 1992 Ghost watch.

In 2006, she played a rival to Lauren Cooper in an episode of The Catherine Tate Show screened on BBC Two. On 9 April 2006, the BBC announced that Cassidy would be leaving EastEnders, and her final scenes would be screened in February 2007. It is currently unknown when or if she will return to the show. On the possibility of returning, Cassidy has said: "I love EastEnders very much. It's my second home, but I feel it's time to try new things. But it doesn't mean Sonia won't be back!" and on a special documentary about Martin and Sonia, entitled EastEnders Sweethearts: The Story of Martin and Sonia she said that she would "like to put Sonia in a box and then get her out again some day".

Since leaving EastEnders, Cassidy has concentrated on work in the theatre appearing in extensive UK tours of The Vagina Monologues, Bedroom Farce and Gertrude's Secret opposite Prunella Scales and a run of The Cherry Orchard at the Chichester Festival Theatre opposite Diana Rigg.

Towards the end of 2007, Cassidy burst back onto the front pages, showing off her new, very much slimmed-down figure. This coincided with the launch of her new fitness DVD, entitled Natalie Cassidy's Then and Now Workout, which became the fastest-selling weight-loss DVD ever in the UK. In spring 2008, she appeared in the documentary Natalie Cassidy's Diet secrets for BBC Three. In 2008 she has also appeared as a regular panelist on the topical discussion series The Wright Stuff on Five.

In mid to late 2008 Cassidy gained much press coverage for giving up on her diet and regaining considerable weight. Her personal trainer stated that Cassidy had "slipped back into her old habits" and that she was "really disappointed." Cassidy also claims to be a size 12, despite clearly slipping back to a size 16/18.