Natalie Cassidy inspired by Barbara Windsor to help out EastEnders newcomers

Natalie Cassidy has been inspired by Dame Barbara Windsor to help out 'EastEnders' newcomers.

The 38-year-old actress - who has played Sonia Fowler on the show since she was a child - wants to help the "youngsters" on the programme today in the same way she learned from the soap legends Barbara, who starred as Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell, and the late Wendy Richard, who portrayed her mother-in-law Pauline Fowler.

She said: "At 10, I didn't really know. I came into it and I knew it was a programme on the television. It was just a lovely place to be and to get out of school. I used to come along and talk to everyone. And in hindsight, I look back at all of the legendary people that we've lost now, Dame Barbara Windsor and Wendy Richard. The things I've learnt from those women, and I hope to take that through and teach the youngsters."

Barbara passed away in December 2020 at the age of 83 following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, and Wendy died from breast cancer in 2009 and the age of 65.

Natalie went on to admit that the set of the BBC soap can be "dauting" for newcomers, which is why she makes the effort to make fresh faces feel welcome as soon as they join.

Speaking on BBC Radio 2, she added: "I like to make myself known as soon as someone joins. I think it's a daunting place to work. We're so familiar to people and it is an institution."