EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy reveals secret wrist tattoo which she covers up for filming

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has revealed the secret tattoo on her wrist, which she has to cover up while playing Sonia Fowler.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the actress, 37, was discussing the appointment of Brian Conley as he onscreen father when she gave a glimpse of the hidden inking.

Holding up her wrist which featured a patch of foundation, the star revealed in her video that she has been covering up her tattoo for years as her character doesn’t have any.

Cover up: EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has revealed the secret tattoo on her wrist, which she has to cover up while playing Sonia Fowler

Natalie has had the tattoo for 10 years and it’s a tribute to her eldest daughter Eliza, showing her girl’s initials ‘E’ and ‘C’ entwined with hearts and musical notes.

She shares 10-year-old Eliza with ex Adam Cottrell.  She also has a another daughter, four-year-old Joanie, with husband Marc Humphreys.

Speaking in the clip, Natalie said: “I had to do a little video because firstly, look at the grey hair – unbelievable. 

‘And secondly, I finished work – I am just about to go home. I am so lucky to be at work, I am so grateful to be at work.

Inking: Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the actress, 37, was discussing the appointment of Brian Conley as he onscreen father when she gave a glimpse of the hidden inking (pictured with her tattoo in 2012)

Inking: Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the actress, 37, was discussing the appointment of Brian Conley as he onscreen father when she gave a glimpse of the hidden inking (pictured with her tattoo in 2012)

She then focused on her wrist and held her cover-up to the camera, as she said: ‘Really bad covering of my tattoo.’ 

She continued: ‘One minute you’re sat at home picking your toenails, and the next minute Brian Conley is going to play your dad… Can’t be bad, can it?’

The soap favourite then referenced her body art again in the caption, writing: ‘@realbrianconley playing Sonia’s dad. Can’t wait to work with Brian. Hope he won’t be offended by my roots…

Secret ink: Holding up her wrist which featured a patch of foundation, the star revealed in her video that she has been covering up her tattoo for years as her character doesn't have any

Secret ink: Holding up her wrist which featured a patch of foundation, the star revealed in her video that she has been covering up her tattoo for years as her character doesn’t have any

‘Oh and the tattoo covering is by me- Sonia doesn’t have a tattoo so I cover it up when at work! Happy Thursday all. 

It comes as Natalie confirmed her return to the BBC soap earlier this month as she shared a series of snaps from the set.

The actress, 37, who plays Sonia Fowler, recently took an extended break from the show, with the character heading to India to visit her daughter Bex.

And Natalie took to Instagram to declare that ‘Sonia’s back’, as she documented her first day back in Albert Square.

Tribute: Natalie has had the tattoo for 10 years and it's a tribute to her eldest daughter Eliza, showing her girl's initials 'E' and 'C' entwined with hearts and musical notes (pictured in 2014)

Tribute: Natalie has had the tattoo for 10 years and it’s a tribute to her eldest daughter Eliza, showing her girl’s initials ‘E’ and ‘C’ entwined with hearts and musical notes (pictured in 2014)

Funny: She continued: 'One minute you're sat at home picking your toenails, and the next minute Brian Conley is going to play your dad… Can't be bad, can it?'

Funny: She continued: ‘One minute you’re sat at home picking your toenails, and the next minute Brian Conley is going to play your dad… Can’t be bad, can it?’

Meanwhile, it’s been revealed that Brian Conley is set to star in EastEnders as Sonia Fowler’s long-lost father in a ‘shock’ arrival to Albert Square.

The actor and West End star, 59, is joining the cast in the role of Terry Cant with his first scenes as Terry due to air later this spring – despite previously turning a role on the soap in the past. 

Brian will begin filming his role as Sonia’s absent father next month and says he cannot wait to order his ‘first pint at The Queen Vic’.

She's back: It comes as Natalie confirmed her return to the BBC soap earlier this month as she shared a series of snaps from the set

She’s back: It comes as Natalie confirmed her return to the BBC soap earlier this month as she shared a series of snaps from the set

Character: The actress who plays Sonia Fowler, recently took an extended break from the show, with the character heading to India to visit her daughter Bex

Character: The actress who plays Sonia Fowler, recently took an extended break from the show, with the character heading to India to visit her daughter Bex

Speaking about his new role, he said: ‘As you can imagine, being a Londoner and now being part of EastEnders is such an incredible moment for me.

‘I know for sure my dad’s looking down from above and saying: ‘Good on yer son!’

‘It was always his favourite programme. So in so many ways it really is an honour to be part of such an iconic show and to be working with an incredibly talented team on camera and off.’ 

The former host of The Brian Conley show added: ‘I cannot wait to order my first pint at The Queen Vic.’ 

Newcomer: Brian Conley is set to star in EastEnders as Sonia Fowler's long-lost father in a 'shock' arrival to Albert Square

Newcomer: Brian Conley is set to star in EastEnders as Sonia Fowler’s long-lost father in a ‘shock’ arrival to Albert Square

Father figure: The actor and West End star, 59, is joining the cast in the role of Terry Cant with his first scenes as Terry due to air later this spring

Father figure: The actor and West End star, 59, is joining the cast in the role of Terry Cant with his first scenes as Terry due to air later this spring