Natalie Cassidy reportedly could be set to ‘make millions’ following her EastEnders exit as an expert predicts she could be lined up for several projects.
The soap actress, 41, who has played the role of Sonia Fowler since she was 10 years old, will exit as part of the show’s 40th-anniversary celebrations and insiders have billed her as the ‘next Stacey Solomon’.
Brand expert Nick Ede told the Sun that Natalie’s income is set to skyrocket as he revealed exactly how Natalie, who recently competed as Bush in The Masked Singer, can make this her most successful move following her departure.
He said: ‘Obviously EastEnders gives a really good salary and shows like Strictly, which she did in 2009, pay very well.
‘But away from the BBC she can now do endorsement deals and commercial deals – she can utilise her following on social media to promote stuff.
Natalie Cassidy reportedly could be set to ‘make millions’ following her EastEnders exit as an expert predicts she could be lined up for several projects
The soap actress, 41, who has played the role of Sonia Fowler since she was 10 years old, will exit as part of the show’s 40th-anniversary celebrations and insiders have billed her as the ‘next Stacey Solomon’
‘I know she’s going to be hosting a couple of documentaries for Channel 4, which is quite interesting because people like her.’
And he concluded that she will become ‘more famous’ and ‘make a couple more millions’ as said she could take on I’m A Celeb next because she has already competed on Strictly.
In her first interview since announcing the news, Natalie explained that turning 42 this year made her feel it was time to ‘be brave’ and explore new opportunities.
She told The Sun: ‘I’m 42 this year, I just feel like it’s time to be brave. You don’t want to get to 70 and think, ‘I never tried that’.’
Natalie also expressed her deep love for the show, saying: ‘I’ve loved this programme with all my heart. I started at ten, it’s in my bones, it’s in my heart.’
The decision to leave came after a heart-to-heart with EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw six months ago.
The star said: ‘I’d been thinking about it for a little while. I had a wonderful chat with Chris back in the summer. It’s just exciting.’
With the anniversary episodes set to feature a dramatic explosion at the Queen Vic, rumours are circulating that Sonia could die in the blast.
And now her income is reportedly set to skyrocket, according to the Sun
And he concluded that she will become ‘more famous’ and ‘make a couple more millions’ as said she could take on I’m A Celeb next because she has already competed on Strictly
However, Natalie is keeping quiet about her character’s fate, who has recently been accused of killing Debbie Colwell.
She admitted that, since making the decision to leave, she’s had to remind herself not to overthink what’s coming next for Sonia.
She said the fate of Sonia is in the hands of the boss and the storyliners and she will just have to take a deep breath and let it play out.
Natalie joined EastEnders in 1993 as part of the Jackson family, which included her on-screen sister Bianca (Patsy Palmer), brother Robbie (Dean Gaffney), and mother Carol (Lindsey Coulson).
She left the show in 2007 but made brief returns between 2010-2011 and in 2014.
Reflecting on her early years on set, Natalie shared a memory of being given a new bomber jacket, which she had to ‘dirty up’ for school to make it look worn.
With the anniversary episodes set to feature a dramatic explosion at the Queen Vic, rumours are circulating that Sonia could die in the blast
Over the years, some of the show’s biggest stars, including June Brown, Pam St. Clement, Barbara Windsor, and Letitia Dean, mentored her.
But it was her close friendships with legendary actresses June (Dot Cotton) and Wendy (Pauline Fowler) that truly shaped her experience.
She admitted that when she was 18-years-old she would have a glass of red wine with June in the Ivy, when she was in her seventies, and the pair even went on holiday together.
Though Natalie now lives with her two daughters and fiancé Marc Humphreys, she still gets recognized wherever she goes.
She hilariously admitted that people in her local area are now used to seeing her in her pyjamas as she runs errands.
Looking back at her 32 years on the show, Natalie highlighted some of Sonia’s biggest storylines, like giving birth as a teenager and her boyfriend Jamie dying on Christmas Day.
But one of her favourite moments was filming the hen party scene at Stacey Slater’s house as all of the women were together and she believes the show thrives on strong, matriarchal women.
