Last Updated: 29 Apr 2009

Natalie talks about her yo-yo weight

Natalie Cassidy wowed everyone last year with her sleek new body and seemingly sensible approach to weight loss - including a fitness dvd. But now she's going on the record about her true feelings on her weight.

The former EastEnders star had always been known for her curvaceous build, but then last year she dramatically dropped down to a slimline size 8.

However recent pictures show the star has gained back much of the weight she originally lost.

The actress now admits, that although at first she did lose the weight healthily - when the public reaction was so favourable she soon became obsessed with her weight.

She says, "There were nights I would go out for dinner and then I'd go home and take laxatives because I didn't want the food inside me."

She continues, "What I was doing wasn't sustainable. I couldn't keep on that way. I was ill. I had a problem and it was borderline obsessional."

But Natalie confesses she wasn't happy when she was at her thinnest and has now accepted her size 14 frame, "I just want to be normal, and if that means me staying this size, then I'll stay this size."