EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy has opened up about a major career regret: her 2007 fitness DVD Then And Now. Speaking on Good Morning Britain with presenters Ed Balls and Susanna Reid, the actress described the project as a 'huge mistake' that left her feeling isolated after its release.
Cassidy's Regret Over Fitness Video
Cassidy, who joined the BBC soap at age 10 and is best known for playing Sonia Fowler, explained that she never thought about her weight before making the DVD. 'I was very happy-go-lucky, didn't get on a scale, didn't do anything,' she told the ITV presenters. 'I was offered that job, go and do it, earn loads of money and lose loads of weight.'
She went on to describe the aftermath: 'I did that job, lost loads of weight and put it all back on again. It was really hard, which is why this campaign, what I'm doing at the moment, is really important to me.'
Feeling Alone After the DVD
Cassidy admitted that she felt very alone after the video was released. 'The job finished, and I was on my own. I wish I had someone to talk to, somewhere to go, wherever that would be,' she said. She also noted that people often don't discuss their feelings about weight with genuine honesty.
Susanna Reid pointed out the current confusion around weight, with a body positivity movement emerging just before weight loss drugs became popular. Cassidy responded: 'The culture changes and shifts every 10 years; we have those ups and downs. But, I think what I'm saying is, it's about being able to talk to somebody, be it a friend, family member, whoever, about how you're feeling.'
Importance of Open Conversations
Cassidy emphasized that weight struggles go beyond the scale. 'It's not just about getting on the scale and seeing a number and keeping that within you, feeling depressed all day and worrying about what you're going to eat. We should have conversations about it,' she said.
Since leaving EastEnders last year, Cassidy has appeared in the BBC documentary series Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together, where she trains to become a qualified carer. Her latest campaign focuses on mental health and open dialogue around weight and body image.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am.
