Exclusive: EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy opens up about debilitating medical condition
The Sonia Fowler actress reveals her worries over balance issues that means she can't ride a bike or ice skate
EastEnders favourite Natalie Cassidy believes she is suffering from the medical condition dyspraxia.
The disorder affects people’s coordination in everyday life and it often means they find it hard to balance. Actress Natalie – best known for playing Sonia Fowler on the BBC soap – revealed: “I have no balance. I cannot ride a bike or roller skate or ice skate. In 2025 I think you’d call me dyspraxic. I think if I went and sorted it all out, I think I’ve got a bit of dyspraxia. If I go down the stairs I have to prise myself at the top before I go. It’s a balance issue. I am a wobbler.”
EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy opens up on health condition which leaves her feeling “wobbly” (
Maltesers/Ollie Dixon)
Natalie is not the only celebrity who has had to deal with the symptoms of dyspraxia. In the past Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, Friends actress Jennifer Aniston and also singer Cara Delevingne have spoken about the condition. Natalie, 41, opens up about her life on Aime Fuller’s latest episode of the podcast The Monday Mile which is out on Monday.
She will be leaving EastEnders this year having been on the show since 1993. Natalie took centre stage in the soap’s live episode this week to mark’s 40th anniversary, giving birth. Viewers were given the power to name her baby, calling her Julia. Despite her upcoming exit, Natalie will still be very busy.
In addition to recording her own successful podcast Life With Nat, appearing in the BBC comedy Boarders and fronting a new Channel 4 consumer show called What’s The Big Deal, the star plans to do ‘’mum things’’ with her two children. She is engaged to cameraman Marc Humphries. Natalie has daughter Eliza from a previous relationship and Joanie with Marc.
Natalie Cassidy with her partner Marc, with whom she shares daughter Joanie (
INSTAGRAM/NATALIECASSIDY)
She said: “I love being at home and just pottering. I have got an eight year old and a 14 year old and the time goes so quickly. I want to pick the kids up from school. I want to be able to go to the school sports day.”
And Natalie – who enjoys country walks and has run the London Marathon – wants to do more exercise. She added: “Wellness is very important to me.. getting out more in the open air.. I want to do more because I enjoy it. It is good to get out and get moving but there are still people who don’t do that. There’s a lot of sedentary people. I feel energised and I’d love to start running again but no marathons this year.”
The d.e.a.t.h of iconic EastEnders character Martin Fowler during the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode was watched by 3.7million people on Thursday. Fans were in tears by the loss of one of the soap’s longest-running characters. Actor James Bye played the popular character since 2014 after taking over the role from Jon Peyton-Price (1985-1986) and James Alexandrou (1996-2007). During Thursday’s show, Martin had his legs crushed by a steel beam moments after confessing his love to his ex-wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). Despite a rescue crew’s attempt to save him, he met his tragic end.
The episode was broadcast live for the first time since 2015 and its ratings were about 1.5 million above the soap’s daily overnight average, watched by an average of 3.7 million people on Thursday, according to overnight ratings. However, they were well down on the last live episode, when more than 10 million people tuned in for the show’s 30th birthday.
