Cassidy 'was on brink of breakdown'

Natalie Cassidy has said that she was on the verge of a breakdown after the death of EastEnders colleague Wendy Richard.

The actress told Heat that she had seen a bereavement specialist after Richard's passing brought back memories of the death of her mother seven years ago.

Cassidy said: "I wasn't well. I wouldn't call it a breakdown, but I was under so much pressure I think I was on the brink of one.

"The day Wendy died I hit rock bottom. Wendy was my second mum, and if I'm honest, that’s when it all affected me."

At the time of her death in February, a number of Richard's former co-stars expressed their shock and sadness.