Natalie Cassidy has left fans reaching for the tissues after sharing an emotional tribute to her late father on Instagram.
The EastEnders’ actress, known for playing Sonia Fowler in the BBC soap, was “in tears” as she penned a heartfelt statement marking three years since her dad’s passing.
Cassidy, 40, told her followers that she was crying because she “missed him so much”, but also felt “proud” of herself for beginning to “move on” with her life.
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Alongside a touching throwback photo of her as a child with her dad, Natalie wrote: “I lost my daddy 3 years ago today. It’s just another day, but everything seems heightened somehow.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The beloved telly star added: “I’m feeling very proud of myself and very happy and cry tears because I miss him so much not because I’m sad. And grief doesn’t start and stop on tap. It’s always with you but you learn to smile through it, even laugh and move on with your life. You’d be proud dad.”
Her moving message struck a chord with many of her fans, who shared their own experiences of loss, finding solace in Natalie’s words. Previously, the actress had revealed that she still “talks to” her dad every day and keeps his ashes on her windowsill, offering a glimpse into her personal process of mourning two years after he died, reports the Mirror.
(Image: No credit)
Charles passed away in April 2021, but Natalie ensures his memory remains alive. The actress lost her mother at the tender age of 19, which further strengthened her bond with her father. This led to Charles living with Natalie and her family during his final years.
Natalie has since transformed her father’s room into a special area for family bonding, and she keeps his ashes on her living room windowsill where she often converses with him. In an interview with OK! magazine, she shared: “I know it might be a bit morbid for some people but he sits on the windowsill and I like to have a chat with him.”
(Image: Instagram/ @natcass1)
Natalie, her fiance Marc Humphreys, and her two daughters, Eliza and Joanie, moved into their current home five years ago, with Charles joining them. Reflecting on this arrangement, she said: “My dad was with us because his health started to deteriorate and I didn’t want him to be living on his own any more. I decided to bite the bullet and find somewhere with an annexe, so that Dad was still with us, but could also be independent and have his own space.”
Charles battled multiple health issues before his demise, and Natalie sensed when his end was near. The soap star confessed she had a “gut feeling” that he would pass away soon, and within a week, he died with his cherished daughter by his side.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
