EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy claps back after ‘free clothes’ backlash

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has hit back at online critics after being gifted clothes.

The Sonia Fowler actress, 41, , addressed the issue during a September episode of her Life with Nat podcast, where she discussed all things fashion.

She thanked Tesco for the ‘lovely bits’ and gave a shoutout to River Island for its latest collection, which she said is perfect for the festive season.

‘Leather jacket out of there is lovely. They’ve treated me to a couple of bits. They’ve been really kind,’ she said.

However, this didn’t sit well with fans whocriticised her for accepting freebies.

Natalie responded to the backlash saying: ‘From people saying, “Oh brilliant. Someone who earns loads of money getting free clothes’.

Sonia and Reiss look happy as they walk along the street in EastEnders

‘So what I would say to that, and I understand that comment, is it’s because I’m doing a television programme.’

She elaborated further, likening the situation to purchasing costumes for a show, as stores want her to wear their pieces while presenting or appearing on screen, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Recent EastEnders scenes saw Natalie’s character Sonia arrested at her engagement party along with fiancé Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) after police found evidence that his comatose wife had been murdered in her care home bed.

As fans of the BBC soap know, Reiss smothered her to death in a bid to solve his mounting debts, but was released without charge due to having an alibi.

Unluckily for Sonia, there was DNA evidence linking her to the scene, and she was charged and carted off to jail, with Reiss failing to speak up and admit his crime.

Natalie is heavily rumoured to be taking a break from the BBC soap, suggesting Sonia will face a long fight for justice.

Asked if anyone can save Sonia, Natalie added: ‘Who knows? But she’s got a lot of champions there on the Square…’

One of those champions could be sister Bianca Jackson, as it has been announced Patsy Palmer is returning to the role for another stint, following her guest appearance earlier this year.