EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has revealed that the BBC cast can often sense when they might be the next to be written out, as the soap continues to make cuts.
A former EastEnders star has shared the telltale signs that cast members notice before they’re written out.
The 60-year-old actress spoke exclusively to the Daily Star in partnership with Casino.org about her time as Heather Trott on the BBC soap, which recently marked its 40th anniversary. Cheryl portrayed Shirley Carter’s best friend Heather from 2007 to 2012 before her exit, with her character meeting a tragic end at the hands of Phil Mitchell’s son, Ben.
“You didn’t openly discuss it with others, but you could feel something was up. Each week, you’d sit down to learn what was in store for your character in the coming months.”
“But that week, as Friday neared, I still hadn’t had a meeting, and neither had Linda [Henry, who plays Shirley]. By the end of the day, I started thinking—either Heather was about to have a second baby, or something bad was on the horizon.”
She went on: “At the time, Brian Kirkwood was the producer, and when I walked in, he looked genuinely upset. I had a feeling I knew what was coming.
“He asked me to take a seat, and I instantly knew it wouldn’t be good news. He explained that the higher-ups—the decision-makers—wanted to explore Shirley coping with loss, which meant Heather’s fate was sealed.”
As soap ratings continue to decline across the board, Cheryl offered her advice to producers on how to boost viewership again. She suggested: “I believe they need to ground the stories in reality. Soaps are supposed to reflect everyday life, and they don’t have to rely on nonstop explosions or exaggerated plots to compete with movies or limited series. Real life doesn’t work that way. Bringing the focus back to relatable, real-world storytelling could make a difference.”
“I think we all have concerns about the future of soaps. They’re such a long-standing institution, and I truly believe they’ll endure. Given the investment EastEnders has made in its new set, I’d imagine they’ll want to make the most of it.
“With advancements like AI and other changes in the industry, it’s natural for actors to worry about what lies ahead. But we just have to advocate for keeping soaps alive. I sincerely hope they continue indefinitely—and who knows, maybe one day I’ll have the chance to join another one myself.”
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