Former EastEnders Actress Reveals Food Bank Use Post-Show Departure

Former EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison has disclosed that she encountered financial difficulties and was compelled to utilize a food bank after her departure from the soap opera. The 60-year-old actress stated that this experience brought her to tears, remarking: “It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I found it so difficult to be that vulnerable.” Fergison is widely recognized for her portrayal of Heather Trott on the BBC program from 2007 until 2012. She informed the Sunday Mirror that her financial struggles commenced in 2015 after she received a diagnosis of womb cancer, which necessitated her withdrawal from her acting profession. Following this, she underwent a hysterectomy and subsequently experienced an early menopause, which led to mental health challenges and self-harm. Fergison recounted that she was daily applying scalding water to herself in an attempt to “wash” away the cancer cells. She stated: “I was damaging myself so badly,” adding, “As soon as I got the all-clear I stopped doing it. If you’re told you are ill, it’s not just about the physical issue – somehow, you need to figure out what’s going on in your head with it all.” The actress mentioned that by this past February, she found herself without any money. She commented: “I didn’t have any money to do a weekly shop. I was trying to pay too many debts,” She further stated: “It was a really difficult time,” and continued, “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.” Fergison noted that this situation was a stark contrast to her period on EastEnders, during which she “didn’t even look at the price of things”. She recounted seeking assistance from Citizens Advice, after which a staff member from the organization accompanied her to a food bank. She questioned: “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?,” According to the Living Wage Foundation, over 50% of low-income London residents have needed to utilize a food bank within the past year. Fergison, a resident of Cleveleys, expressed considerable appreciation for the food bank staff, stating: “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. That’s what it felt like.“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’.” The actress reported departing with four bags of groceries and has not needed to revisit the food bank since that occasion. She has since managed to sustain herself through various jobs, such as singing in Chinese restaurants and acting in pantomimes. She further expressed her hope that sharing her financial difficulties would assist others, remarking: “I hope other people can relate to it. I really want to stress that food banks are a service,” and continued, “They’re there for you to use so please do not feel embarrassed or that it’s a weakness. 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.” In the previous month, a recent report from the anti-poverty charity Trussell indicated that a record 9.3 million individuals, including one in five children, are experiencing hunger and severe hardship across the UK. Helen Barnard, who serves as the director of policy and research at Trussell, informed BBC News: “Everyone’s story of being forced to turn to a food bank is heartbreaking and it’s brave Cheryl has spoken out to highlight this issue.” She added that food banks “try their hardest to provide a warm welcome”. However, she also stated that it’s “just not right” for anyone to need to rely on a food bank for survival. BBC News has reached out to Fergison’s representatives and Citizens Advice for their input. For those impacted by the subjects discussed in this article, assistance and support can be accessed through the BBC Action Line. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.