Natalie Cassidy: Take me back, EastEnders!

Sad Nat's finding work and home life tough

Natalie Cassidy hopes to revive her acting career

Natalie Cassidy is desperate to return to EastEnders after a series of problems have left the star depressed and unhappy.

The 25-year-old left Albert Square in February 2007 but her acting career has failed to take off.

Now that her on-screen half-sister Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer, has returned to the soap she’s hoping BBC bosses will bring back her character Sonia Jackson.

A source says: ‘When she left EastEnders, Natalie was telling friends how she admired Kathy Burke and would love to do the sort of films she made. But it hasn’t really worked out.'

Natalie earned an estimated £300,000 from her bestselling Now And Then fitness DVD, for which she dropped from a size 16 to a 10. But it can take ages for the money to filter through.

After recently selling 2 properties she owned, she's moved into a dingy block of flats above a parade of shops in north London with actor boyfriend Ben Porter, 40.

But her recent weight gain has made her difficult to live with, putting pressure on their relationship.

See the full story in Now magazine dated 25 August 2008 - out now!