The ex-EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy has recounted the distressing experience of her daughter suffering a serious fall.

The 43-year-old performer, renowned for her portrayal of NHS nurse Sonia Fowler on the BBC television drama, opened up on her Life With Nat podcast about the recent accident involving her nine-year-old child Joaine.

Joaine fractured her arm during a fall at her school, merely eight weeks after undergoing surgery to have metalwork extracted from the same limb following an earlier injury.

Also joining the podcast, Natalie’s partner Marc Humphreys, who works as a cameraman on EastEnders, remarked that during the warmest stretch of the year, the family found themselves spending two days at a medical facility.

The incident occurred on June 23, during what the family had anticipated would be an enjoyable week relaxing at home in sunny weather.

Natalie confessed she believed she was on the verge of experiencing a mental collapse after her daughter tripped in a corridor prior to a physical education lesson.

She mentioned feeling close to a breakdown on the Tuesday, admitting she was completely overwhelmed. She described being in a difficult state, noting her daughter’s small frame, the medication required, and the overall distressing nature of the situation.

Natalie provided listeners with a comprehensive account of Joaine’s medical history regarding her arm injuries.

She explained that several years prior, Joaine sustained a straightforward fracture. Subsequently, she broke the arm again, necessitating the insertion of metalwork. Eight weeks before this latest incident, Joaine underwent another general anaesthetic to have the metalwork removed, only to sustain another fracture.

Natalie and Marc speculated that some kind of medical deficiency might be responsible for Joaine’s repeated injuries.

However, Natalie revealed that comprehensive blood testing showed all results to be completely normal. The specialist apparently told them he believed it simply amounted to extremely unfortunate circumstances.

She expressed gratitude toward the hospital personnel for their excellent treatment, particularly given they were working throughout a heatwave when temperatures reached 37.7°C.

She noted the hospital environment was fairly warm during their stay, yet the staff continued their work without complaint, maintaining good spirits and displaying remarkable dedication. The family felt they received exceptional care once more.

Marc observed that medical staff had become familiar with Joaine from their previous visits.

He noted that the anaesthetist recognized her, with the entire team being acquainted with Joaine. The anaesthetist even mentioned having applied a bandage to her teddy bear previously in the same manner.

Natalie described accompanying her daughter to the operating theatre, greeting a staff member named Barbara and expressing amazement at how well-known her family had become at the medical facility.

Natalie also commended Joaine for demonstrating remarkable fortitude throughout the experience.

She described her daughter as having taken her medication, positioned with a fan nearby, watching television, and feeling somewhat frustrated but generally coping admirably and displaying considerable bravery.

Natalie is additionally the mother of Eliza, whom she shares with her former partner Adam Cottrell.