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Cheryl Fergison: Behind The Scenes - My Secret Life Beyond EastEnders
Amazing stories from the EastEnders star in the show's 40th anniversary year
A no-holds-barred memoir covering issues that will resonate with many, including relationship struggles, poverty and life and death health battles
Beloved EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison brings her extraordinary life to paper for the first time, detailing the highs and lows of her career from her iconic portrayal of Heather Trott to appearing on numerous panels and reality TV Shows from Loose Women to Celebrity Big Brother.
But it is her life off screen that has truly been worthy of any soap plot.
Packed with revelations, Cheryl candidly talks about the highs, and lows of a life in the spotlight and the happiness, heartbreak and tragedy she has been through away from our TV screens.
A no-holds-barred memoir covering issues that will resonate with many, including relationship struggles, poverty and life and death health battles
Beloved EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison brings her extraordinary life to paper for the first time, detailing the highs and lows of her career from her iconic portrayal of Heather Trott to appearing on numerous panels and reality TV Shows from Loose Women to Celebrity Big Brother.
But it is her life off screen that has truly been worthy of any soap plot.
Packed with revelations, Cheryl candidly talks about the highs, and lows of a life in the spotlight and the happiness, heartbreak and tragedy she has been through away from our TV screens.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2025
5 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 25, 2025
Even though not watched EastEnders for many years ( except the obligatory anniversary specials and long standing cast final show ) there is a peculiarity that you still ‘know’ certain cast members and what their role is/has been, Cheryl ( Heather Trott ) is one of those, so was looking forward to reading about her life and of course Eastenders
And what a life, ups, downs, downs and ups in all areas, acting and career, love, finance, health…all are covered with honesty and humour, even at the authors lowest her humour shines through
Very moving and kinda shocking to read re the battle of comfort overeating which even reared its ugly head after an evening where she was honoured with one of Showbiz’s highest accolades, really an eye opener and the realisation that these things do not just disappear even when achieved one of your highest goals
Of course on a lighter note was fab to read the behind the scenes Eastenders goss and about other cast members whose names are as familiar to us as friends, also interesting to read about her time in the Celeb Big Brother house
Online trolling was covered and how accessible being in a soap makes you to the press and fans, good and bad
I read some autobiographies feeling I have read a very sanitised version of a life, this is not that, the honesty seeps through each page, its part funny, very sad, emotional and shocking but at all times accessible and felt like the author was chatting to me about her life
Since publication Cheryl has suffered a stroke and wish her a speedy recovery
If you get chance to read this then do and honestly you will be surprised at what is on offer
And what a life, ups, downs, downs and ups in all areas, acting and career, love, finance, health…all are covered with honesty and humour, even at the authors lowest her humour shines through
Very moving and kinda shocking to read re the battle of comfort overeating which even reared its ugly head after an evening where she was honoured with one of Showbiz’s highest accolades, really an eye opener and the realisation that these things do not just disappear even when achieved one of your highest goals
Of course on a lighter note was fab to read the behind the scenes Eastenders goss and about other cast members whose names are as familiar to us as friends, also interesting to read about her time in the Celeb Big Brother house
Online trolling was covered and how accessible being in a soap makes you to the press and fans, good and bad
I read some autobiographies feeling I have read a very sanitised version of a life, this is not that, the honesty seeps through each page, its part funny, very sad, emotional and shocking but at all times accessible and felt like the author was chatting to me about her life
Since publication Cheryl has suffered a stroke and wish her a speedy recovery
If you get chance to read this then do and honestly you will be surprised at what is on offer
September 1, 2025
This is basically the blueprint for writing an autobiography. A perfectly structured book with all the highs and lows of a working actress, with no unnecessary filler. A very worthy read.
Cheryl takes us on a chronological tour of her life, with just the right amount of detail - from her upbringing, marriage, divorce, TV Stardom and financial strain. It’s a raw account of a real-life with lessons she’s learned along the way.
Sometimes with a soap-stars memoir, I’ve found the soap-life element to be lacking, leading to disappointment - but that’s not the case here. Cheryl takes us behind the scenes on EastEnders is great detail. There’s a solid 50 pages (out of 300) of life in Albert Square along with several more stories littered throughout. This part did not disappoint! There are some brilliant behind the scenes stories that made me laugh out loud, and I loved reading about her special off-screen relationship with Linda Henry, Steve McFadden & Barbara Windsor.
As for the rest of her life - she’s a survivor, she’s brave and unflinchingly honest. Cheryl has had her hard battles through relationship breakdowns, grief, loneliness & financial strain which she details in powerful writing. Don’t get me wrong - it’s not all doom and gloom at all, but it details real-life which is relatable and gives you pause for thought that you never know the struggles behind closed doors. It’s balanced well with loving stories and lots of Cheryl’s signature humour.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the sections about her motherhood journey with her son. They clearly have a wonderful bond, and his coming-out story warmed my heart.
I never found myself skimming through filler or unnecessary lengthy sections which is a credit to how engaging the book is. I got much more than I was expecting from this book and I wish Cheryl all the very best.
A brilliant read, and it ends with some wise words about treating people a little kinder, living a little fuller and laughing a little louder. Well done Cheryl - A 5 star read from me.
Cheryl takes us on a chronological tour of her life, with just the right amount of detail - from her upbringing, marriage, divorce, TV Stardom and financial strain. It’s a raw account of a real-life with lessons she’s learned along the way.
Sometimes with a soap-stars memoir, I’ve found the soap-life element to be lacking, leading to disappointment - but that’s not the case here. Cheryl takes us behind the scenes on EastEnders is great detail. There’s a solid 50 pages (out of 300) of life in Albert Square along with several more stories littered throughout. This part did not disappoint! There are some brilliant behind the scenes stories that made me laugh out loud, and I loved reading about her special off-screen relationship with Linda Henry, Steve McFadden & Barbara Windsor.
As for the rest of her life - she’s a survivor, she’s brave and unflinchingly honest. Cheryl has had her hard battles through relationship breakdowns, grief, loneliness & financial strain which she details in powerful writing. Don’t get me wrong - it’s not all doom and gloom at all, but it details real-life which is relatable and gives you pause for thought that you never know the struggles behind closed doors. It’s balanced well with loving stories and lots of Cheryl’s signature humour.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the sections about her motherhood journey with her son. They clearly have a wonderful bond, and his coming-out story warmed my heart.
I never found myself skimming through filler or unnecessary lengthy sections which is a credit to how engaging the book is. I got much more than I was expecting from this book and I wish Cheryl all the very best.
A brilliant read, and it ends with some wise words about treating people a little kinder, living a little fuller and laughing a little louder. Well done Cheryl - A 5 star read from me.
September 22, 2025
Thank you Mirror Books and NetGalley for giving me a copy of Cheryl Fergison's book in exchange for an honest review.
While I would say that Cheryl's career is particularly niche, I really appreciated how much open and keen Fergison was to showcase her life for the viewer. I'm sure I watched a little bit of Eastenders when she was in it, but really, I was and am Coronation Street for life (well, up until 2020.) I was more interested in her relationship with her Moroccan husband as one got the impression, before reading this that Cheryl was a vulnerable woman when she met him.
But, let's breeze through the material beforehand. Fergison is intelligent with what belongs in the book, carefully explaining how her childhood had a 'Paradise Lost' moment, which was a terrible moment in her childhood. Fergison trained as an actor and had some moments of success, however, Fergison is aware that her career was more jobbing actor than thespian. Fergison, btw, should have been Ferguson but she spelt it phonetically. She met her first husband under opportunistic circumstances (for him) and let's the reader get the 'Yeah, she allowed him to walk over her' narrative while delivering some jazzy zingers and droll commentary about a disastrous wedding and necessary separation. Some of these chapters were laugh-out-loud and she deserves credit for her wit and willingness to put herself out there.
Eastenders gives her the opportunity to showcase her comedic abilities and sunny personality, although she's sad and lonely, hence why she moved on to the computer and snagged a husband. Her first husband was a dud for her so could this be her moment?
The perceived idea of a Shirley Valentine (misused frequently) May-December type relationship is that men manipulate woman for financial benefit or a 'green card', which I'd argue, taking everything in mind is not the case here. When an accountant runs off with her money (Cheryl goes through the 'My life would be too ridiculous even for Eastenders - and losing her money this way is horrendous for her, considering these were her peak earning years) Cheryl lives alone while he's in Morocco supporting his family. When she's fighting cancer, he doesn't return. In fact, I think there's maybe half/close to full-on a decade where they're not together. The end indicates that they're still together, although Cheryl in real life has had a stroke. A terrible run of years. Hopefully the hubby does help Cheryl, who is now living in rented accommodation. Her experience in Morocco was, I would say, intriguing. Shades of Not Without my Daughter, just without children and the husband not going crazy. (I appreciate this is Morocco, not Iran but my point stands being out-of-body.)
I would say there's not too much here in terms of life events but Fergison's narrative voice is light and airy, which is exactly what you need for a celebrity (soap) memoir. Btw, Fergison suggests lightly that Heather could have had an identical twin. I feel the way in which she was killed off on the show was unduly harsh and, oddly, I'd support her returning. Her loyalty to Eastenders is undoubtedly for life.
While I would say that Cheryl's career is particularly niche, I really appreciated how much open and keen Fergison was to showcase her life for the viewer. I'm sure I watched a little bit of Eastenders when she was in it, but really, I was and am Coronation Street for life (well, up until 2020.) I was more interested in her relationship with her Moroccan husband as one got the impression, before reading this that Cheryl was a vulnerable woman when she met him.
But, let's breeze through the material beforehand. Fergison is intelligent with what belongs in the book, carefully explaining how her childhood had a 'Paradise Lost' moment, which was a terrible moment in her childhood. Fergison trained as an actor and had some moments of success, however, Fergison is aware that her career was more jobbing actor than thespian. Fergison, btw, should have been Ferguson but she spelt it phonetically. She met her first husband under opportunistic circumstances (for him) and let's the reader get the 'Yeah, she allowed him to walk over her' narrative while delivering some jazzy zingers and droll commentary about a disastrous wedding and necessary separation. Some of these chapters were laugh-out-loud and she deserves credit for her wit and willingness to put herself out there.
Eastenders gives her the opportunity to showcase her comedic abilities and sunny personality, although she's sad and lonely, hence why she moved on to the computer and snagged a husband. Her first husband was a dud for her so could this be her moment?
The perceived idea of a Shirley Valentine (misused frequently) May-December type relationship is that men manipulate woman for financial benefit or a 'green card', which I'd argue, taking everything in mind is not the case here. When an accountant runs off with her money (Cheryl goes through the 'My life would be too ridiculous even for Eastenders - and losing her money this way is horrendous for her, considering these were her peak earning years) Cheryl lives alone while he's in Morocco supporting his family. When she's fighting cancer, he doesn't return. In fact, I think there's maybe half/close to full-on a decade where they're not together. The end indicates that they're still together, although Cheryl in real life has had a stroke. A terrible run of years. Hopefully the hubby does help Cheryl, who is now living in rented accommodation. Her experience in Morocco was, I would say, intriguing. Shades of Not Without my Daughter, just without children and the husband not going crazy. (I appreciate this is Morocco, not Iran but my point stands being out-of-body.)
I would say there's not too much here in terms of life events but Fergison's narrative voice is light and airy, which is exactly what you need for a celebrity (soap) memoir. Btw, Fergison suggests lightly that Heather could have had an identical twin. I feel the way in which she was killed off on the show was unduly harsh and, oddly, I'd support her returning. Her loyalty to Eastenders is undoubtedly for life.
August 31, 2025
YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD WOMAN DOWN!
You couldn't make it up. If Cheryl's life story was an EastEnders script people would say it was far fetched. Born to a teenage mum she literally sang for her supper to old people on her council estate for five pence! It follows her dream to become a performer and finally getting into drama school on the third attempt.From bit parts to landing in Albert Square this is one hell of a ride via the red carpet and food banks. There are tales of love, betrayal, heart break, health scares and everything in-between. But this is also a story of hope, resilience, human kindness and humour. I got the book on Saturday afternoon and finished it by Sunday evening - I couldn't put it down. A really good read.
You couldn't make it up. If Cheryl's life story was an EastEnders script people would say it was far fetched. Born to a teenage mum she literally sang for her supper to old people on her council estate for five pence! It follows her dream to become a performer and finally getting into drama school on the third attempt.From bit parts to landing in Albert Square this is one hell of a ride via the red carpet and food banks. There are tales of love, betrayal, heart break, health scares and everything in-between. But this is also a story of hope, resilience, human kindness and humour. I got the book on Saturday afternoon and finished it by Sunday evening - I couldn't put it down. A really good read.
September 13, 2025
Amazing book by an Amazing woman. Cheryl reveals the real ups & downs of showbiz & how life can have a big turn around. You may be on your way up but then life can knock you back down in more ways than one. Cheryl is a beautiful, strong woman who writes from the heart & is not afraid to share her real life story with the world. Well done Cheryl
September 14, 2025
What an absolutely amazing book all about the highs and lows of being an actress, starting out playing Heather Trott In Eastenders to ending up broke and penniless and having to rely on food banks for next meal, well done on writing this book Cheryl.
September 8, 2025
Cheryl’s story is just so beautifully told and is so relatable and inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews