BBC EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy declares love for co-star who calls her 'sister on-screen and off-screen' amid exit

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Patsy Palmer has paid tribute to EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy after the actress announced she would be leaving the BBC soap after more than 30 years.

Patsy, 52, who plays Bianca Jackson, the on-screen half-sister of Natalie's character Sonia Fowler, said she was proud of the actress’s work, business ventures and family.

It comes after the soap star, 41, said she was "extremely sad" but "very excited" when she announced her departure last week.

Following the news, Patsy took to Instagram with a picture of the pair as youngsters in the popular soap and said: "I have seen her grow into the most fantastic woman over the years, and so, so brilliantly funny, and now she’s making sure I am safe and comfy when I am here, so far away from my family in LA. "She often gives me a lift nowadays from work to stay with her, making me dinner, or to the hotel, and I am truly grateful to call her my sister on-screen and off-screen." Also in the post, she spoke about their shared beginnings at the Anna Scher Theatre School in London, describing Natalie in her youth as an "old head in the cutest shoulders".