Birth name Natalie Ann Cassidy

Birthday 13 May 1983

Star sign Taurus

Birthplace Islington, London

A true EastEnder from the start, Natalie Cassidy was born in London in 1983. She clearly always loved to perform and attended the Anna Scher Theatre School as a child.

The actress got her big break very early on; she was just 10 when she landed the role of Sonia Jackson in EastEnders. Natalie continued to play the popular character for many years.

Natalie was at the centre of several dramatic storylines as Sonia. She went through a teen pregnancy, a lesbian affair and was even arrested for murder.

In 2006 Natalie Cassidy announced that she was leaving EastEnders. After bowing out of the soap she tried her hand at theatre and starred in a number of plays including The Vagina Monologues and Bedroom Farce.

She hit the headlines in 2007 when she dramatically slimmed down and released a workout DVD, which became the fastest-selling fitness DVD ever in the UK, but she started to gain weight again the following year.

In late 2009 Natalie took part in Strictly Come Dancing and came in 5th place with dance partner Vincent Simone.

Natalie announced she was pregnant by boyfriend Adam Cottrell in March 2010 and they welcomed daughter Eliza six months later.

Drama ensued when Adam was arrested and charged with assaulting Natalie in May 2011. He admitted the two counts of assault and was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, as well as having to pay compensation.

Natalie later dropped a restraining order she had against her former boyfriend when they rekindled their relationship less than a year later. They split again in December 2013.

After occasional appearances in EastEnders since 2010, Natalie Cassidy entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in January 2012. She came in joint 7th place.

The actress reprised her role as Sonia in EastEnders in 2014.