Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison was in floods of tears as she was forced to attend a foodbank recently.
The 60-year-old starred as the hapless Heather Trott in the legendary BBC soap between 2007 and 2012.
Trott’s antics, including a mystery pregnancy saga, made her a fan-favourite character until she was axed from the show in dramatic fashion – accidentally killed by Phil Mitchell’s son Ben.
However, Fergison has hit hard times since leaving Albert Square – with the actress struggling find enough money to eat.
“Lots of people can relate to it. You’re trying to find a penny. You’re literally looking down your settee to see if you can find a quid,” the 60-year-old told The Mirror.
Fergison admitted she could scarcely afford a “weekly shop” and was mired in “too many debts”.
Fergison as EastEnders’ Karaoke enthusiast Heather Trott
BBC
To help make some money, Fergison had even taken to selling off her beloved EastEnders scripts and memorabilia for as little as £50.
After she came to terms with her situation, a Citizens Advice staff member took the troubled actress to a foodbank.
Fergison admitted the visit was: “One of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I found it so difficult to be that vulnerable.”
The 60-year-old confessed: “I sat there and cried and cried. It was shameful. How could I have been on EastEnders? How could I have been earning that much money and now I am here?”
Trott became a fan-favourite character on the legendary BBC soap
BBC
Fergison explains she “didn’t even look at the price of things” when she was starring in the long-running soap.
Despite the “embarrassment” she felt about potentially being recognised, Fergison had nothing but good things to say about the foodbank itself.
“That day is one I’ll never forget – and I’ll never forget the people. I felt I’d had this amazing, biggest, warmest hug,” the star retold.
“They were like angels. It was like a group of angels had come along and said, ‘We can cope with this for you Cheryl, we can do this for you’,” she concluded warmly.
Following the experience, the mum-of-one was determined to assure others who may be sheepish about asking for help.
“I really want to stress that food banks are a service. They’re there for you to use so please do not feel embarrassed or that it’s a weakness,” Fergison began.
She assured: “Whatever the reason, you deserve help. We have a right to be able to live like a human being and do it in a dignified way.”
As well as spreading a positive message, Fergison said she was looking forward to a starring Pantomime role in Peterborough this Christmas.
She will star as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella alongside her 25-year-old son Alex, who is set to play Buttons.