Natalie wants lesbian support

TV

09:30 02 March 2006

'EastEnders' star Natalie Cassidy has begged fans of the soap to accept her character Sonia's lesbian relationship.

The trainee nurse is set to dump husband Martin Fowler, played by actor James Alexandrou, to start a same-sex romance with fellow student nurse Naomi Julien, actress Petra Letang.

Natalie, 22, is hopeful viewers will not judge the plotline too harshly and accept that the show is dealing with a very important social issue.

She said: "What I love about this plot is that it isn't just sensationalism. People will see it that way, of course, but it's not just about the lesbian thing. It simply doesn't matter whether Sonia wants to be with a man or a woman - you can't choose who you fall in love with.

"In the end, I hope people will be adult about it and sympathise with Sonia."

Natalie believes the majority of fans will support Sonia's coming out - because the public's attitude to gay relationships has changed dramatically in recent years.

She added to Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "These days it's normal for two people of the same sex to go out together. After all, we've had Sir Elton John and David Furnish getting married and everyone wishing them the best of luck."

(c) BANG Media International