EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy couldn’t contain her excitement after starring on the 2025 series of Cooking with the Stars, revealing that her time in the kitchen felt like a dream come true.
The 42-year-old star – known to millions as Sonia Fowler – described herself as a “cooking geek” and said taking part in the ITV1 celebrity cook-off show was “amazing” from start to finish.
“I love cooking, and I’ve always wanted to do a show like this, so when it came up, I jumped at the chance,” Natalie said during an appearance on Lorraine, where Christine Lampard was standing in for the regular host.
Starstruck by Chefs, Not Celebs
While many would be dazzled by celebrity company, Natalie admitted it was the professional chefs who left her truly starstruck.
Paired with Tony Singh, the 54-year-old celebrated Scottish-Asian chef, Natalie got a crash course in building flavours, mastering spice blends, and refining her culinary chops. She was also thrilled to spend time with industry stars like Jack Stein and Elliott Grover.
“I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to restaurants and chefs. So to be surrounded by Jack Stein and Elliot Grover and all these amazing people, as well as Tony… yeah, I felt like a competition winner.”
Kitchen Chemistry with Tony Singh
Natalie says her on-screen partnership with Tony Singh was instant magic.
“Being paired with Tony was absolutely amazing. I cannot tell you the fun we’ve had. We just got on like a house on fire. From the minute I saw him, I thought, ‘We’re going to have such a laugh.’”
Beyond the fun, Natalie also appreciated the chance to dive into Indian cuisine, noting:
“To learn all about Indian food, building spices and pastes – it was just an amazing experience.”
A New Side of Natalie
Though best known for her decades on EastEnders, this show allowed fans to see a new, passion-filled side of Natalie.
She appeared alongside fellow stars like Jack Osbourne, Kelly Hoppen, and Jess Wright, all mentored by professional chefs as they cooked under pressure for hosts Emma Willis and Tom Allen.
“The whole thing was amazing. Everyone was fantastic. We had such a lovely time,” Natalie said.
When to Watch
Cooking with the Stars returns Saturday, August 3 at 7pm on ITV1 – and if Natalie’s experience is anything to go by, viewers are in for a real treat.
