Former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has revealed the immense stress she experienced after her nine-year-old daughter, Joanie, was rushed to A&E with a broken arm. The incident marked the second time in a matter of weeks that Joanie sustained an injury to the same arm, prompting Cassidy to admit she felt she was 'going to have a nervous breakdown'.
Cassidy, known for her long-running role as Sonia Fowler on the BBC soap, shared details of the distressing event on her podcast, 'Life with Nat'. She explained that Joanie, who she shares with fiancé Marc Humphreys, slipped over at school before a PE lesson. This came shortly after Joanie had undergone surgery for a previous arm injury, necessitating further general anaesthetic and another operation.
The actor described the situation as 'so traumatic', admitting she 'fell to pieces'. She spoke about the emotional impact of seeing 'her little body' endure the pain, medication, and overall trauma. Cassidy also has an older daughter, 15-year-old Eliza, from a previous relationship.
Concerned by the repeated fractures, Joanie underwent comprehensive blood tests to investigate any potential underlying deficiencies that might contribute to bone fragility. However, Cassidy confirmed that all tests returned within a normal range. Consultants concluded that the recurring injuries appear to be a case of 'really bad luck' rather than an identifiable medical condition.
Beyond her personal life, Cassidy has recently been vocal about social issues, particularly advocating for tighter regulations on social media use for those under 16. In February, she publicly supported the 'Big Tech's Little Victims' campaign, which highlighted concerning content algorithms expose to children. The government officially announced proposed bans on social media for under-16s last month. Cassidy, who joined EastEnders at the age of 10, departed the soap in 2025 and has since focused on her podcasting career.