EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has spoken out about what she says was an "out of order" incident during her time on the BBC dance show Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking on the Ry-Union podcast with Rylan Clark, Natalie was asked about her experiences on Strictly.
She said: "Strictly was the best job outside of EastEnders. Getting up, dancing all day, learning how to dance; I had lovely Vincenzo next to me!"
"We were like soulmates, we were like brother and sister, we just laughed, the whole time. And I loved it. I loved the glitz, the glamour, it's just brilliant....So brilliant."
Related: EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy pays touching tribute to her father after he passes away
However, she did recall one incident on the show that was a bit awkward.
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"I was about four stone bigger back then, and Vincenzo was quite little, and I remember one week it was like 'Oh we're going to do this dance but you're going to pick up Vincent.'"
"I look back and I think that was a bit out of order to me," she added.
Rylan agreed that it was "out of order" but the two did laugh as she recalled the story.
Natalie was partnered with Vincent Simone, an Italian professional dancer, on the show when the incident happened and they finished in fifth place.
Related: EastEnders return confirmed for Sonia Fowler as Natalie Cassidy heads back to filming
The actor, who plays Sonia Fowler on the long-running soap, was bullied for her weight by the public in the aftermath of appearing on Strictly, she said.
She has now lost four stone since the show and revealed last year that she finally feels "at ease" with her body after many years of "ups and downs" with dieting.
Natalie returned to EastEnders in January 2021 after a brief stint away from the show in the latter half of 2020.
EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.
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