EastEnders' Kellie Bright says 'it's hard enough as it is' as she makes TV confession

Kellie Bright has shared a candid confession about her time growing up in front of the cameras, declaring that it's a "hard enough time as it is" going through puberty without doing it in the public eye. In a recent chat with fellow soap icon Natalie Cassidy on an episode of the Life with Nat podcast, Kellie, best known for playing Linda Carter in the long-running BBC Soap, revealed that she'd known Natalie for about 11 years.

It turns out that Kellie, who first joined EastEnders in October 2013, shares a common background with the host; they've both appeared on TV since they were children.

The actress revealed that people would mention that they remembered her from shows such as 1985's 'T-Bag' or 'The Upper Hand', where she appeared from 12 to 18.'

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She said: "I mean, no one wants to go through puberty on telly, do they? It's a hard enough time as it is." Natalie then burst into laughter, noting that they did "actually live out" their puberty on TV.

Reminiscing about the time, Kellieadded: "But it was normal, right? For you and me, it was our normal, so in no way did I ever question it or think, 'Ooh, this is a bit strange or odd or different."

She explained that it was "just the way it was" at the time and that it was only in "hindsight" when she had children of her own who reached a similar age to her as a child actor that she thought, "Goodness me."

Kelliewent on to add that when she imagines her children working "in that world", she thinks "no, no, no". It follows reports that Kellie has announced a new careerventure away from Albert Square.

The British Soap Award winner announced that she had ventured into the world of crafts, posting on Instagram that she'd launched a creativity and craft club for adults.

She explained that it would be a "sanctuary for like minded folks" and looked forward to uniting people via their shared passions. In the caption announcing the news, she noted that it was a project "many years" in the making.

Kellie wrote: "This is it…. Meet Me at Mabel's has arrived!!!! A creativity and craft club for grown ups!! Based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Something I have spent many years dreaming about… and here I am doing it!

"As lots of you know I love making things! Crochet, sewing, knitting, absolutely anything and everything creative. I want the space to be a place of sanctuary for like minded folks."

Kellie went on to say that she hoped it would be a place to "quieten a busy mind" and embrace "what it is to be part of a community".

She added that her own love of the pursuit has helped her calm her "overactive brain".