EastEnders star selling old scripts to 'put a roof over head' amid career struggle

EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has revealed that she's selling scripts from the BBC One soap and other merchandise to 'put a roof over [her] head' after being 'overlooked' for acting roles. The star is best known for playing Heather Trott on EastEnders from 2007 until 2012, when her character was killed off the soap.

The 59-year-old has taken to Instagram to sell memorabilia from her time on the soap and after reports that she could be in 'hot water' with the BBC over copyright rules, Cheryl has hit back at the claims. Speaking to OK! , Cheryl said: "I was told some years ago that after a period of time, this was okay to do. I have donated scripts to various charities over the years in much the same way, by giving them to auctions to raise money for their charities."

She added: "There is unofficial merchandise being sold either online or in various places, I wanted to give true fans a chance to have something of my era at EastEnders. I think that people need to get their heads around the fact we have to earn a living, we are not always fortunate to be filming all the time and working in our chosen and trained profession. I do not see that anything is wrong with what I am doing when I have been told this is something I can do."

READ MORE:EastEnders' Lacey Turner shares huge soap news – and fans can't believe it

READ MORE:Tess Daly's Strictly 'ban' as she reveals one thing she can't do during show

Cheryl, who is selling EastEnders scripts and signed pictures to fans online, went onto say that the money is going towards paying her bills after her hitting a quiet patch in her acting career. "I do not want to get into trouble in any way and maybe £50 to some people is not a lot of money, but when it can help to pay an ever-increasing bill or help put a roof over your head and food on the table, just like any other person earning a living, I will continue to buy and sell - and pay tax on it."

She added: "I will give the fans what they are asking for, and keep a float in times when I am not fortunate enough to be filming and working in my profession. I am blessed that people loved the character of Heather from Eastenders and my time there was amazing. It’s a great show and of course legendary to have been part of it.

Sign up to OK!'s TV newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free

"At the end of the day my management and myself just strive to continue to get the work and be put forward for great new projects. Being nearly 60 can mean you can get overlooked for things. It is up to the individuals and surrounding people to make sure you are constant and still current."

Cheryl revealed that she will be starring in a pantomime production of Cinderella at Peterborough's The Cresset with her son Alex Saddiqi, 25. Earlier this year, Cheryl - who lives with her husband of 12 years Yassine, 38, and son Alex - opened up about battling Stage 2 cancer of the womb after being diagnosed in 2015.

"It was a horrendous time," she told OK! in April. "There were some dark moments, especially at night, when I thought: ‘am I going to die?’ Am I going to leave my husband without a wife, my son without a mum?"