EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy is mourning the death of her father, Charles William Cassidy, who died three weeks ago, aged 84.
The actress, 38, who plays Sonia Fowler on the BBC One soap, admitted she struggled over whether to share the news publicly with fans.
Sharing a photo of herself and her late dad to Instagram, Natalie explained her “life has changed” since his death.
The mum-of-two thanked her family and friends for their support, and admitted the distraction of her work on the set of EastEnders will “will make it easier” to process her grief.
She said: “I’ve been very quiet the last few weeks. I lost my precious daddy three weeks ago today.
“I wasn’t really going to do this post, but I felt I can’t come on here and be a knob without letting everyone know that my life has changed.
“He was my whole world and I’m not sure what I’m going to do without him. All I know is my family, friends and work will make it easier. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life.
“It really is at these times you realise how important relationships are and company and friendship and love is so important.”
(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
“Losing anyone is hard,” Natalie continued.
“The NEVER seeing someone again is cruel. But it’s part of life. And we go on and have our memories. Charles William Cassidy 1937-2021. The best dad and grandad in the world. We miss you so much but we have each other because of you.”
Natalie’s EastEnders co-stars filled the comment section below with messages of support, sending their condolences to the Cassidy family.
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
Jacqueline Jossa wrote: “Sorry to hear that beautiful girl, love to you and your family. Lots of love.”
“Love you mate,” added Ben Mitchell actor Max Bowden, and Jake Wood, who left the soap earlier this year, added: “Big love Nat, so sorry.”
Growing up in London, Natalie joined the cast of EastEnders as a child star in the early 90s, with the support of her family behind her.
“I was ten when I joined the show and she played the trumpet which everyone remembers,” Natalie told BBC in 2007.
“I still get shouted at in the street eight years on – ‘Where’s your trumpet?'”
Today, Natalie is engaged to EastEnders cameraman Marc Humphreys, with the backstage crew member popping the question in 2015.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
