THE TELLY LEGENDS HAVE TEAMED UP FOR A PODCAST
One’s known for beingtrumpet-playing Sonia Fowler on EastEnders, the other is famous for her Gavin & Stacey alter-ego. Now, the worlds of showbiz and soap have combined as Natalie Cassidy and Joanna Page struck up an instant rapport after meeting four months ago. Aside from bonding over their TV loves and peeves on their new podcast, Off The Telly, they have a lot in common. Natalie, 40, is mum to daughters Eliza, 13, and Joanie, seven, and fiancéetocameraman Marc Humphreys, while Joanna, 46, has Eva, nine, Kit, seven, Noah, six, and Boe, two, with actor husband James Thornton. So, what happens when two telly icons collide?
You’re the dream partnership! How long have you been friends?
Joanna: We only recently met each other! We got chatting after Nat came on Loose Women and we clicked. I’m a big fan of hers.
Natalie: And I’m a big fan of Joanna’s. I’d had this podcast idea, so I messaged Jo, asking if she’d be interested. She said yes and here we are.
What makes Off The Telly stand out from other TV podcasts?
N: I’ve had people say to me that the podcast world is really oversubscribed, but we’re different. I’ve done Strictly and Jo did Cooking With The Stars and one of the most popular sitcoms, so we can give some inside info.
J: It would be like sitting down and having a cup of tea with us. Hopefully, we can do a Strictly or EastEnders special.
N: Or a Gavin & Stacey special…
Speaking of Gavin & Stacey, what can you spill about the rumoured Christmas special?
J: I don’t know anything that’s going on because I’ve never, ever asked Ruth [Jones] and James [Corden] if they’re going to write any more. I genuinely do not know anything, so I have no idea. It’s so lovely that everybody wants another one so much. But I’ve got no new news.
N: If we carry on this podcast, I’m going to squeeze it out of her.
Leave it with me. By August or September, I might know something.
What are your favourite shows?
N: I enjoy cooking shows, quiz shows, home décor like Grand Designs, and comedy. Sitcoms are my go-to thing to watch on the telly – I’ll watch Fawlty Towers, Porridge and Hi-De-Hi! That’s my happy p
