EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy joins CBeebies Bedtime Story
Natalie Cassidy has explained why she decided to join CBeebies Bedtime Story.
Natalie Cassidy has celebrated young carers, friendship and resilience on CBeebies Bedtime Story.
The 43-year-old actress - who is best known for playing Sonia Jackson on EastEnders - joined the CBeebies Bedtime Story line-up to read Young Carers in Space by Ana Graça.
The soap star said: "Having two grown-up girls now of nine and 15, it's such an honour to be able to do this CBeebies Bedtime Story for all my great nieces and nephews who I'll sit down and watch it with. They love stories and they'll be like 'Auntie Nat Nat is on the telly' so I'm absolutely thrilled I've read a CBeebies Bedtime Story."
Natalie’s Bedtime Story forms part of Caring Matters, the BBC's week of special programming and content helping audiences navigate caring.
Meanwhile, Natalie previously claimed that she's been forced to develop a "thick skin" during her career.
The actress first appeared on British TV in 1993, and Natalie admits that growing up in the spotlight has been challenging.
She told the Daily Express newspaper: "I was called a 'beached whale' when I was 12. It was awful.
"I understand now why my mum was so angry and protective of me, I would be exactly the same if it was one of my daughters. But you do develop a thick skin, you have to really."
Natalie freely admits to going through "a lot of ups and downs" during her career.
However, the actress now feels more comfortable within herself.
She said: "I feel very at ease with myself now, as I've got older.
"Throughout the years I've gone through a lot of ups and downs."
Natalie underwent a significant weight-loss journey around 2020, and she admitted that it changed how she feels about herself.
Asked about her diet secrets, Natalie explained: "Now, I just know the simple things that work - eat well, exercise, drink lots of water.
"All the boring things but I feel like my body is the size it should be now. I'm 37 in May. I've been through a lot in my life and I feel more confident about who I am and what I look like, 100 percent."
