27 February 2024 , 19:19
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When two stars of the small screen had a chance meeting on ITV’s Loose Women last November, it was the start of a beautiful friendship – and, it turns out, a new podcast.
Guest panellist Joanna Page, best known for her title role in the BBC ’s Gavin & Stacey, met Natalie Cassidy, who plays EastEnders ’ Sonia Fowler on the show. “We clicked immediately,” said Joanna, 46, in that familiar Welsh lilt. “We chatted a bit after she’d done her interview and I thought she was gorgeous.”
“And I thought the same,” chips in Natalie. “It’s the start of a long-standing friendship.” In Off The Telly, their podcast launching on BBC Sounds tomorrow, the pair will talk about three or four shows each week, starting with Gladiators, The Apprentice and Netflix smash One Day.
Natalie Cassidy and Joanna Page have joined forces (DAILY MIRROR)Two people with strong opinions, Joanna and Natalie seem like a good fit to share their small-screen observations. Natalie said: “We’ll record the podcast on a Sunday or Monday to keep it topical and discuss programmes viewers will have watched the previous week.” Having been in the TV industry for so long, both of the stars bring a wealth of knowledge to their listeners, plus as working mums, they spend a lot of time at home watching the box.
After three decades in Albert Square Natalie, 40, is now one of soap’s stalwarts. Walford is where her loyalty lies and where she has so many friends. In emotional scenes, Sonia was heavily involved in the Dot Cotton funeral storyline last year, after the death of Natalie’s close friend, the redoubtable June Brown in 2022. Natalie said: “It was very, very difficult for me because obviously I’ve lost a dear friend.
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
“She taught me a lot and we had a lot of laughs over the years. When she was 82 years old she’d be partying in a nightclub, and she was just so amazing.” Natalie felt honoured to lead the episode of Dot’s funeral, and she said: “There was a lot resting on my shoulders, I think I did her proud.”
Natalie was heavily involved in the funeral of Dot Cotton, who was played by the late June Brown (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)She has two daughters, Eliza, 13, from an earlier relationship, and seven-year-old Joanie, with fiance, cameraman Marc Humphreys. Joanie is tucked up by 8.30pm with Eliza following about half-an-hour later. Then Natalie and Marc sit down to watch Dragon’s Den, The Apprentice or The 1% Club. “That’s our time together.” Top of their must-see viewing has been the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
“After all those years of the sub-postmasters being falsely accused, it took a TV programme to get it discussed in parliament,” Natalie said. “That just shows you the power of telly.” But her first love is comedy, she adds: “I like sitcoms, stand-up, you name it. I still watch repeats of Friday Night Dinner if Joanie’s not around. I also like a good quiz like University Challenge or Mastermind.”
While she dislikes shows like 24 Hours in Police Custody or A&E. “If I’m ever going to be in A&E, it would be a bad experience,” she said. “Why would I want to watch something like that at home?” Joanna has four children Eva, 13, Kit, eight, Noah, seven and Boe, two with her actor husband James Thornton, 48.
Natalie admits she believes she did June proud (BBC)Having settled the other three she lies next to the two-year-old, pops on her headphones and starts watching shows on her phone. She said: “I’m still breastfeeding so I tend to stay in bed and watch TV on my own and leave my husband downstairs.
“I just loved the Nordic noir crime drama series, The Bridge. I used to watch it with James – but he’s too slow. He was forever getting me to explain what was going on. And White Lotus was fabulous. They’re filming a third one now, set in Thailand. I can’t wait. [But] I can’t watch Dickinson’s Real Deal. It’s old-fashioned and boring.”
While Natalie still has her day job on the Square, there are whispers of a Gavin & Stacey reunion that may mean Joanna reprises her role in another Christmas special. The one in 2019 was a huge success. She said: “It’s all gone absolutely mad with those rumours and it’s so sweet and lovely that everybody still loves the show.
Meanwhile, Joanna revealed she never quizzes Ruth Jones and James Corden over the future of Gavin and Stacey (BBC)“But cross my heart, I honestly don’t know. I’d never ask Ruth [Jones] or James [Corden] if they’re planning on writing any more. That would look a bit sad, wouldn’t it? But would I do the show again? I’d absolutely jump at it. It was a fantastic job with a fabulous cast. We had a right laugh from start to finish. My children recently watched the first Christmas special which they loved.”
Even Natalie’s keen, admitting “I asked Joanna about it and she wouldn’t tell me, but I really hope the rumours are true.” Family viewing like The Masked Singer and Ant and Dec and Strictly Come Dancing will make for lively discussions especially as they have some insider knowledge. “I was on Strictly in 2009,” recalls Natalie. “I loved every minute. It was the most exciting, terrifying thing I’ve done. The music would strike up and there was no saliva in my mouth.”
But Joanna’s not so sure about accepting an invitation to take part. “Oh, they’ve asked me often enough, but I was always too busy having babies. Now, I’d worry about the strength of my pelvic floor.”
EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy shows off grey hair and says 'it doesn't matter'
- Off the Telly is available now on BBC Sounds.