Iconic EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison has defended selling old scripts from the soap as she struggles to pay her bills.
The 59-year-old is best known for playing Heather Trott on the BBC soap from 2007 until 2012 - with her character being brutally killed off in heartbreaking scenes. In the years since, the actress appeared in the comedy drama film White Island, comedy drama TV show Dodger, and mockumentary sitcom Hard Cell - among other roles.
She has also built an impressive career on stage and is regularly part of the panto season - with recent roles including the fairy in Jack and the Beanstock and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. However, Cheryl has revealed that she has been struggling to keep a roof over her head and has been selling old EastEnders scripts to help with the bills.
Defending her choice, the TV star explained that she is ensuring all her earnings are declared and has explained she does not see a conflict in selling off BBC soap memorabilia. She also highlighted that some fans are being duped into buying fake EastEnders memorabilia in online marketplaces.
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BBC)Opening up to OK! magazine, Cheryl said: "I was told some years ago that after a period of time, this was okay to do. I have donated scripts to various charities over the years in much the same way, by giving them to auctions to raise money for their charities."
She added: "There is unofficial merchandise being sold either online or in various places, I wanted to give true fans a chance to have something of my era at EastEnders. I think that people need to get their heads around the fact we have to earn a living, we are not always fortunate to be filming all the time and working in our chosen and trained profession. I do not see that anything is wrong with what I am doing when I have been told this is something I can do."
Defending her actions, she added: "I do not want to get into trouble in any way and maybe £50 to some people is not a lot of money, but when it can help to pay an ever-increasing bill or help put a roof over your head and food on the table, just like any other person earning a living, I will continue to buy and sell - and pay tax on it."
Cheryl has been using her social media platforms in recent weeks to let fans know that she has one of a kind content from the EastEnders set that she is willing to sell to them. She wrote on Instagram: "Email for info .. if you’re a fan then it’s a must , if you want to give someone a unique present then here’s ya gift or you can just treat yourself to a bit of history."
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