Natalie Cassidy suffers major career blow as two new shows axed, six months after EastEnders exit

The actress has suffered a double setback
Joel Harley
By Joel Harley

Natalie Cassidy has suffered a major blow to her post-EastEnders career, six months after leaving the soap. The actress, who played Sonia Fowler, departed Walford in April, following the birth of her daughter and death of her killer husband Reiss Colwell.

In the months which followed her exit, Natalie embarked on two major new ventures – her Channel 4 consumer protection series What’s The Big Deal? and her podcast, Off The Telly, with Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page.

Natalie has revealed this week that there are no plans for a second series of her Channel 4 show.

Natalie Cassidy laughing on The Masked Singer
Natalie’s been busy since EastEnders – even notching up an appearance on The Masked Singer (Credit: ITV)

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy opens up as two projects are axed

According to The Sun, Natalie’s product testing show has been cancelled. Natalie said: “I don’t think it went down very well, if I’m honest. I don’t think it will come back. At the moment, there is no talk of it.

She added: “But I loved it and it was a great experience for me to do.”

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Addressing future episodes of her podcast with Joanna, Natalie said: “We had a laugh doing it and it is a shame the pod ended. I don’t think it will be back.”

Natalie continued: “With the BBC sometimes, what happens is, through no fault of their own, they love exploring new stuff and they do chop and change. And if something isn’t massively, massively popular, then they will just get rid and try new material. That is kind of what the BBC is for.”

She finished: “The money is from you guys, so they do need to change things and make things new.”

Sonia looking out of a window on EastEnders
Sonia left Walford earlier this year (Credit: BBC)

Will Natalie Cassidy ever return to EastEnders?

Luckily, the door always remains open for Natalie’s return to EastEnders. Although Natalie has no plans to go back right now, she did hint at a potential return, back in September – even for a brief stint.

In conversation with Prima magazine, Natalie said: “Albert Square will always hold a place in my heart, and I love it there. There could be a storyline where I come back for a week – those things are great.

“But it took up a lot of time. I used to be learning lines in the evening, and that’s gone now. And then I’d be up at six in the morning.

“You’re not a scaffolder or a heart surgeon, but it did take a long time, whereas now, my evenings are free, unless I’m recording a podcast at home.

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.