Natalie Cassidy has revealed that her father died three weeks ago aged 84.
Sharing the heartbreaking news on Instagram, the EastEnders star, 37, explained his death was the reason ‘I’ve been very quiet the last few weeks,’ adding: ‘I lost my precious daddy three weeks ago today.’
Sharing a photo of herself cuddled up to her dad as she candidly addressed fans, Natalie hailed her late father as being her ‘whole world’ and said that although she’s ‘not sure what I’m going to do without him,’ her family and friends have been ‘making it easier’.
Tragic: Natalie Cassidy, 37, has revealed that her father died three weeks ago aged 84, writing on Instagram: ‘I lost my precious daddy three weeks ago today’
‘It really is at these times you realise how important relationships,’ the Sonia Fowler actress added.
She wrote in full: ‘I’ve been very quiet the last few weeks. I lost my precious daddy three weeks ago today. I wasn’t really going to do this post, but I felt I can’t come on here and be a knob without letting everyone know that my life has changed.
‘He was my whole world and I’m not sure what I’m going to do without him. All I know is my family, friends and work will make it easier. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life.
‘It really is at these times you realise how important relationships are and company and friendship and love is so important. Losing anyone is hard. The NEVER seeing someone again is cruel.
She wrote: ‘He was my whole world and I’m not sure what I’m going to do without him. All I know is my family, friends and work will make it easier’
‘But it’s part of life. And we go on and have our memories. Charles William Cassidy 1937-2021. The best dad and grandad in the world. We miss you so much but we have each other because of you.’
Natalie’s fans and famous friends alike were quick to send their condolences.
Former EastEnder’s co-star Jacqueline Jossa sweetly wrote: ‘Sorry to hear that beautiful girl, love to you and your family. Lots of love,’ while Scarlett Moffatt left a string of heart emojis beneath Natalie’s post.
Thoughtful: Natalie’s fans and famous friends alike were quick to send their condolences, sharing sweet messages beneath the EastEnders star’s post
One follower added: ‘Oh Natalie so sorry for your loss. Could always see you were so close. You just be heartbroken,’ with a second noting: ‘Sending you all of our love Nat.’
The last time Natalie shared a photo of her father was in November, when she referred to herself as a ‘daddy’s girl’.
Posting a snap of herself and dad Charles playing Scrabble, the soap star poignantly noted: ‘We are all very lucky to be here, even if it is different and not what we are used to. Make the most of it.’
Speaking in October, doting mother Natalie told of her fear of losing her father after her mother died when she was just 19 from bowel cancer in 2002 at the age of 63.
Beloved dad: The last time Natalie shared a photo of her father was in November, when she referred to herself as a ‘daddy’s girl’
She explained her dad had been suffering from ill health, saying: ‘Last few days have been a bit of a challenge. Daddy hasn’t been very well, nothing major, but it makes you realise they aren’t going to be around forever.
‘Losing mum young means we are so close, in my head I feel he is always going to be this age, living with me and being a bit grumpy at times.
‘But we know that’s not true. He’s as strong as an Ox, so I’m hoping he will be around for a lot longer. Losing people is such a hard part of our lives, no matter what age they are or how they pass.’
Charles was grandfather to Natalie and her fiancé Marc Humphreys’ daughter Joanie, four, as well as Natalie’s older daughter Eliza, 10, who she shares with her ex-partner, Adam Cottrell.
Grandfather: Charles was grandfather to Natalie and her fiancé, Marc Humphreys’ daughter Joanie, four, as well as Natalie’s older daughter Eliza, 10, who she shares with her ex-partner, Adam Cottrell