Away from her time presenting Channel 4 show What’s The Big Deal?, former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy enjoys a cosy life in Hertfordshire with her fiancé and two children
We’ve taken a peep inside Natalie Cassidy’s mansion(Image: instagram/Natalie Cassidy)
Having spent more than three decades on our screens as EastEnders’ Sonia Fowler, actress Natalie Cassidy is embarking on a new chapter as the host of a brand new show. In her latest gig, Natalie has turned her hand to presenting as she fronts Channel 4’s four-part consumer series What’s The Big Deal?.
“I left because I felt the time was right to do so, I was ready for a challenge after 32 years,” Natalie, 41, said when asked about her decision to leave Albert Square. “I adore EastEnders, but you can’t do everything, and EastEnders is a factory with 60 cast members and 300 staff, so they can’t cater for someone who says, ‘By the way, I need two months off to do this, I need another three months off to do this’. It’s not fair.”
Natalie has previously called her home her “happy place”(Image: Mel Yates)
As part of the new series, Natalie will look into the latest trends and will speak to industry insiders to figure out what products are actually worth the hype. “I love to try the latest things but as a busy mum what I really want to know is what lives up to the claims and what is the best deal?,” she said.
Away from TV screens, the mum-of-two enjoys a cosy life in Hertfordshire with her fiancé Marc Humphreys and daughters Eliza and Joanie. In 2023, she opened the doors of her home to OK! magazine and revealed that her home was her “happy place”, adding that she was a self-confessed “homebird”.
Inside, the TV icon’s home features a stunning kitchen which she calls “the heart of the home”. It’s where she can be found when hosting family dinner parties. Elsewhere, Natalie has her own space that she refers to as being the “posh lounge” and it boasts lavish green sofas and a cream carpet.
The room further boasts a large bookshelf filled with art books, and a trumpet-themed side table, in reference to her character Sonia’s musical talent, also fills the space. “I don’t really allow many people in it. I don’t allow the children in with food. They’ve got to be bathed with their pyjamas on, and then they’re allowed to sit in it!,” she joked. “We did it up from scratch and I’m really proud of how it’s come out.”
Natalie’s kitchen is “the heart of the home”(Image: Mel Yates)
Back in February, Natalie opened up the space to guests when she was joined by loved ones to watch her big reveal on The Masked Singer. In a sweet clip shared on Instagram, the TV personality gave fans a peek inside the space as she held a viewing party following her appearance on the show.
In the clip, a large TV hung on the wall above a series of white sideboards decorated with ornaments and candles. An ornate chessboard could also be seen positioned on one of the green pouffes.
Plenty of other personal touches can be found in the lounge, including a framed photograph of her late mum and dad, Evelyn and Charles, on her windowsill alongside her father’s ashes. “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,” she explained.
The home has a sprawling outdoor area(Image: Mel Yates)
Outside, Natalie’s home is just as welcoming. Judging by her social media, Natalie is a huge fan of decorating her grand entryway seasonally and often transforms it for Christmas and Halloween celebrations, with the theme changing each occasion. In previous years, Natalie has opted for everything from silver Christmas wreaths to a festive 80s colour scheme.
The podcast host’s home also has a sprawling garden that’s ideal for summer and hosting parties for her children. The large lawn area is surrounded by flowerbeds and shrubbery, and there’s even a quaint looking shed to fully complete the countryside look.
Natalie often decorates her grand entrance for different seasons(Image: Mel Yates)
Natalie’s new show comes two months after she revealed she was quitting EastEnders after 32 years on Albert Square. “I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited,” she said.
“After another 11 solid years back on The Square, I have decided it’s time to move on to new pastures. EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career and I will continue to love the show. Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.”