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

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but share the revelation from the incredible Natalie Cassidy about her challenging school years. She’s opened up about how her renowned contemporary, Paloma Faith, allegedly made things tough for her back then.

But in a twist to the tale, Paloma’s comments about her own torment at school have emerged.

42-year-old actress Natalie, who’s famously known for her role on EastEnders, and 43-year-old vocalist Paloma, were once schoolmates at Islington Green School, where Paloma was a senior to Natalie.

Reflecting on my past, I’d be honest about the challenges I faced during my school years. As a teenager with braces, I was often targeted by bullies due to my wonky teeth. But I’m proud to say I overcame those difficult times and am now able to share valuable insights as a lifestyle expert.

Natalie hails from Islington, while Paloma grew up in Hackney – they come from similar neighborhoods.

Once known as Islington Green, now called City of London Academy Islington, boasts an illustrious past, having been chosen to perform the renowned Pink Floyd lyric “We Don’t Need No Education” in their 1979 smash hit ‘The Wall’.

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20 years later, the school found itself back in the news. In 1995, Tony Blair opted against sending his son, Euan, to the local comprehensive school. Instead, Euan attended the prestigious London Oratory School in Hammersmith for his secondary education.

Two years following Blair’s election as Prime Minister, the school found itself under special supervision.

On her podcast “Life With Nat,” Natalie recalled instances from her school years, specifically the challenging encounter she had with Paloma.

She asserted: ‘Paloma Faith is the one who tormented me during my school years. She attended Islington Green School, a grade ahead of me. We’ve discussed this matter, and she has expressed her regrets for her actions. I’m deeply disappointed about it.’

Previously residing near Islington Green, Paloma – with her background in contemporary dance and experience as a magician’s assistant – described the area as extremely rough, noting frequent police presence and high levels of daily violence.

Despite the harsh words and bullying from classmate Natalie, Paloma identifies as a pacifist, attributing her school’s challenging atmosphere to fostering a robust sense of self. She learned to stand firm in her beliefs and become tenacious.

Besides expressing praise, she enthusiastically acknowledged her exceptional teachers during an interview with The Standard. She shared, “They were incredibly supportive of me. Despite being enrolled in a struggling school, I managed to secure all A’s in my General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations.

Despite being influenced by the artistic environment of her school, she never formally studied music. In essence, she self-taught herself and emphasized that she didn’t have any celebrity parents, private education, or specialized music schools like the BRIT School.

‘I didn’t have lessons, ever, I just copied records.’

Following her graduation from City and Islington College with her A Level qualification, Paloma continued her education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in contemporary dance in Leeds. Later, she earned a Master’s degree in theater direction at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

During her academic years, she skillfully managed several part-time roles. These roles encompassed being a sales associate at Agent Provocateur, a performer in a burlesque cabaret, and an assistant to a magician.

Meanwhile, while she was still in school, Natalie managed to secure the part of Sonia Fowler during an audition when she was only ten years old.

Meanwhile, Natalie pursued her academic journey at Islington Green, she also attended acting workshops at the Anna Scher Theatre School. Here, her improvisational skills caught the attention of EastEnders’ scriptwriter and director Tony McHale, as well as casting consultant Jane Deitch.

Since 1993, Natalie has intermittently portrayed the character Sonia, but she is set to depart from the soap opera in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

In simple terms, Natalie shared that reaching the age of 42 this year made her decide to embrace courage and venture into fresh possibilities.

‘You don’t want to get to 70 and think, “I never tried that”‘ she said.

Natalie similarly conveyed her profound affection for the series by stating: “This program has been deeply cherished by me since I was ten years old. It runs through my veins; it resonates within me.

2025-06-03 13:52

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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

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