Natalie Cassidy, best known as EastEnders’ Sonia, admits she’s a TV addict. Here, she explains why she loves nothing better than a good old natter about what’s on the box with her Gavin & Stacey pal Joanna Page in her new podcast Off The Telly...
Get ready for a fabulous new podcast double act – Joanna Page and Natalie Cassidy. The two actresses are, of course, both ‘faces off the telly’ with experience of acting in two of the biggest British shows ever – and now they’ve joined forces in a weekly podcast from BBC Sounds to discuss what they love and loathe.
We caught up with Natalie, who has two daughters, Eliza and Joanie, and is engaged to Marc Humphreys, to get the lowdown on her viewing habits, her hobbies and how she really feels about Sonia’s trumpet.
Hi, Natalie! You sound like you’re having a lot of fun on Off The Telly?
Brilliant, I’m so pleased you’ve said that – it’s a great thing to have started. Jo and I met on Loose Women when she was on the panel. I’d been in talks about a podcast and a co-host and I said, ‘Oh, I met Jo Page last week and she seemed lovely.’
So it was your idea to work together?
Well yeah, I put it out there – but it all fitted together nicely.
We are both learning as we go – we don’t know each other very well but we have a lot in common and it just works. We’re both mums in our 40s having a good old chat really.
Do you get the wine and crisps out when you’re recording ?
Not so far – but I hope that’s a possibility. Although the crunching might be a distraction!
Had you seen Jo in Gavin and Stacey?
Yes, I loved it! We might do a special where I can ask her all about it. Then she can do the same for EastEnders with me… nothing is really off limits.
You are both quite opinionated about your likes and dislikes..
Well, I don’t want to mince my words and I think it’s important for the audience to know I’m being honest about stuff. There will be disagreements – Jo will say ‘Oh you must watch this’ and I’ll be – ‘No way!’
You talk about your love of The Traitors but you seem to have quite mixed feelings about The Masked Singer...
It’s an interesting one – I sit here and think I can’t believe I’m watching a giant chewing gum or a panda. But let yourself get into it and it’s great fun.
Would you ever go on it?
I’m not much of a singer. But never say never. I love reality shows so you never know. If there’s ever a celebrity The Traitors though – count me in!
Would you do the jungle?
Again – never say never! I don’t think I’d be very good in there – I might be the first to have a heart attack live on television – I am petrified of everything.
