Latest news with #CityOfLondonAcademy
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Paloma Faith insists SHE was bullied after EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy claimed singer tormented her at 'rough' London school which has a very famous history
Natalie Cassidy has spilled on her tough school days, claiming that her famous classmate Paloma Faith bullied her. But in a twist to the tale, Paloma's comments about her own torment at school have emerged. EastEnders star Natalie, 42, and singer Paloma, 43, both attended Islington Green School, with Paloma in the year above Natalie. Writing in a 2012 tweet, Paloma insisted her school days were far from easy, insisting: 'Yes I got bullied at school. I had braces and before that, wonky teeth.' The stars are both from around the same area, with Natalie born in Islington and Paloma raised in Hackney. Islington Green, which has since been renamed the City of London Academy Islington, has a famous history after its choir landed the job of singing the iconic Pink Floyd line 'we don't need no education' on 1979 hit The Wall. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Fast forward two decades and the school was once again in the headlines when in 1995 Tony Blair rejected the local comprehensive for his son Euan, who instead received his secondary education at London Oratory in Hammersmith. Two years later, after Blair was elected Prime Minister, the school was placed in special measures. Natalie thought back to her school days on her podcast Life With Nat when her bad experience with Paloma came up. She claimed: 'Paloma Faith, she bullied me at school. She went to Islington Green and was in the year above me. We've spoken about it and she has said sorry about that. Gutted.' Paloma, who has a degree in contemporary dance and once worked as a magician's assistant, has previously called Islington Green 'very, very rough,' adding that 'the police were there every day; there was a lot of violence.' But in spite of classmate Natalie's comments and her bullying, Paloma has called herself 'a pacifist,' explaining how her school's 'tough environment helped me develop a strong sense of self. I had to learn to stick to my guns and be stubborn.' She has also spoken positvely about her 'incredible' teachers, gushing in an interview with The Standard: 'They were very encouraging to me. I was put in the Hackney Gazette because it was a failing school and I got all As at GCSE.' She has pointed out though that whilst she was inspired by the creative nature of her school, she didn't receive any formal music training, declaring: 'I did it all myself. I had no famous parents, no stage school, no BRIT School.' 'I didn't have lessons, ever, I just copied records.' After completing her A Levels at City and Islington College, Paloma went on to study for a degree in contemporary dance in Leeds before receiveing an MA in theatre directing at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. She juggled a huge array of part time jobs during her studies including as a sales assistant at Agent Provocateur, a singer in a burlesque cabaret and a magician's assistant. Natalie meanwhile landed the role of Sonia Fowler whilst still at school, auditioning when she was just 10. Alongside her studies at Islington Green, Natalie took acting classes at Anna Scher Theatre School, where she was spotted doing improvisations by EastEnders' writer and director Tony McHale and casting advisor Jane Deitch. Natalie has played Sonia on and off since 1993 but she will soon exit the soap as part of the 40th-anniversary celebrations. Announcing the news, Natalie explained that turning 42 this year made her feel it was time to 'be brave' and explore new opportunities. 'You don't want to get to 70 and think, "I never tried that"' she said. Natalie also expressed her deep love for the show, saying: 'I've loved this programme with all my heart. I started at ten, it's in my bones, it's in my heart.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy claims huge pop star 'bullied her at school' and they have spoken about it since
Natalie Cassidy has claimed Paloma Faith used to bully her when they were at school together. The EastEnders actress, 42, and the pop singer, 43, both attended Islington Green School with Paloma in the year above Natalie. The ladies are both from around the same area, with Natalie born in Islington and Paloma raised in Hackney. Natalie thought back to her school days on her podcast Life With Nat when her bad experience with Paloma came up. She claimed: 'Paloma Faith, she bullied me at school. She went to Islington Green and was in the year above me. We've spoken about it and she has said sorry about that. Gutted.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Paloma had a very different experience at school, which has since been renamed the City of London Academy Islington. She said: 'I had a really amazing experience. People were always criticising it but the teachers were just so brilliant. 'It was really creative, with really great art, music and dance departments. I really enjoyed it.' MailOnline has contacted a representative of Paloma Faith for comment. While Natalie may have had bad experiences during her school days, the future is looking bright for the soap star. The actress could reportedly be set to 'make millions' following her EastEnders exit as an expert predicts she could be lined up for several projects. The soap actress, 41, who has played the role of Sonia Fowler since she was 10 years old, will exit as part of the show's 40th-anniversary celebrations and insiders have billed her as the 'next Stacey Solomon '. Brand expert Nick Ede told The Sun that Natalie's income is set to skyrocket as he revealed exactly how Natalie, who recently competed as Bush in The Masked Singer, can make this her most successful move following her departure. He said: 'Obviously EastEnders gives a really good salary and shows like Strictly, which she did in 2009, pay very well. 'But away from the BBC she can now do endorsement deals and commercial deals - she can utilise her following on social media to promote stuff. 'I know she's going to be hosting a couple of documentaries for Channel 4, which is quite interesting because people like her.' And he concluded that she will become 'more famous' and 'make a couple more millions' as said she could take on I'm A Celeb next because she has already competed on Strictly. In her first interview since announcing the news, Natalie explained that turning 42 this year made her feel it was time to 'be brave' and explore new opportunities. She told The Sun: 'I'm 42 this year, I just feel like it's time to be brave. You don't want to get to 70 and think, 'I never tried that'.' Natalie also expressed her deep love for the show, saying: 'I've loved this programme with all my heart. I started at ten, it's in my bones, it's in my heart.' The decision to leave came after a heart-to-heart with EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw six months ago. The star said: 'I'd been thinking about it for a little while. I had a wonderful chat with Chris back in the summer. It's just exciting.'
