Former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has revealed that financial concerns are the reason she has not yet married her fiancé Marc Humphreys, despite being engaged since October 2015. The actress, who played Sonia Fowler on the soap, admitted that the cost of a wedding is a major factor in the delay.
Cassidy, 42, said: “It’s about money actually. Getting married is very expensive and we’re very happy. I know it doesn’t have to be expensive, but I know that I’ll want lovely flowers and a nice dress and all of those things.” She has been with cameraman Humphreys for over a decade and they have two daughters, Eliza, 15, and Joanie, nine.
The actress credits late EastEnders co-star Wendy Richard with giving her the best financial advice – to start a pension early. Cassidy began her pension at 16 thanks to Richard’s guidance. She later faced a large tax bill in 2012, which she paid off by appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, using the fee to also put a deposit on a house.
Since leaving her high-paying EastEnders role, Cassidy has taken on projects aligned with her passions, including a BBC documentary on the care industry. She earned a Level 3 NVQ in health and social care after caring for her father Charles until his death in 2021. “It’s my biggest passion project,” she said.
Cassidy has partnered with Skipton Building Society to encourage open conversations about money. “I’m not the best with money. I’m learning all the time,” she admitted. “I’m 42 now and I think I could have done better with my money.”
