Natalie Cassidy says she is looking forward to the new project, as she opened up about fronting a new Channel 4 show away from her iconic EastEnders role

Natalie Cassidy has shared her unexpected career move as she steps away from her EastEnders role.

The 41-year-old mum and actress is widely known for playing the role of Sonia Fowler on the BBC hit show. Natalie has largely been loyal to her EastEnders roots, having played her character on and off for more than three decades.

However the star has now paved a new career for herself as she’s set to front a quirky Channel 4 show, the broadcaster announced on Friday, July 26. It will see Natalie appearing on our screens as she hosts the four-part consumer affairs show called ‘What’s The Big Deal?’

Across each episode, Natalie explores four talked about products – from ice baths to teeth-whiteners. With behind-the-scenes access to scientists, nutritionists and industry insiders, Natalie will investigate how these products actually work and which ones she thinks are worth the hype.

Speaking on her new role, an excited Natalie said: “I am looking forward to getting to ask the questions we all want to know about must-have products. Like all of us, 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?”

Meanwhile, Clemency Green, Senior Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 said: “We are delighted to be working with Ricochet and Natalie on a show that promises to cut through the noise and find out what products offer best bang for our buck.”

Natalie joined the cast of EastEnders in 1993 and has appeared in a number of British shows over the years. She has also spoken openly about health and fitness, even releasing a fitness DVD titled Natalie Cassidy’s Then and Now Workout back in 2007. A year later, she appeared in the documentary Natalie Cassidy’s Diet Secrets for BBC Three.

Since 2014, Cassidy has been in a relationship with cameraman Marc Humphreys. The couple shares a daughter namedJoanie together, whom Natalie gave birth to in August 2016.

She is also mum to Eliza, 13, who she shares with her ex-partner, Adam Cottrell. The actress recently opened up about motherhood and balancing her busy home life with her career.

She candidly confessed: “When I’m not so busy and it’s sort of 40 percent work, I then go – I’ll have 40 percent kids, and I want 20 percent of my time.”

She also added: “I love time to myself, I love having a nap, I don’t feel guilty. There are some days when I’ve got extra hours for my nanny. If I’ve got a day when I could be at home, I will book my nanny in and I will go to an art gallery, or I will do something on my own, or see someone. I have no guilt for that – no guilt.”