Natalie Cassidy Relationship Rumours Blasted

28 December 2009

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Ex-'EastEnders' star Wendy Richard's widower said he is "sickened" by rumours of a relationship with Natalie Cassidy.

John Burns blasted suggestions he is anything more than friends with Natalie - one of Wendy's closest confidants, and former on-screen daughter in law Sonia Jackson in the BBC soap - telling how she did everything in her power to help him come to terms with Wendy's death from cancer in February.

John,45, said: "The insinuations were ridiculous. It made me very angry but I was more angry for Nat than anything.

"It felt like if I was laughing or joking with Nat, I had to be careful who was watching us. I went to Nat's birthday party at a pub and I went to give her a present but I had to think twice about hugging her.

The insinuations were ridiculous. It made me very angry but I was more angry for Nat than anything.

"She was just helping out, being a good friend. People were saying these terrible things about us - but behind the scenes she was helping me more than anyone knew."

After Wendy's passing Natalie even leant John £20,000 so he could give his wife the send off she would have wanted.

He explained: "The truth is, I overspent for the funeral. I had about £18,000 in the bank but the whole thing cost about £35,000. Because Wendy's accounts went into probate, I couldn't use my cards.

"I phoned Natalie and within a few minutes I was able to borrow £20,000. Within five minutes, the money was in my bank. There aren't many people you could do that with.

"She's such a helpful person, a lovely, lovely kid and so clever beyond her years. Nat was like a daughter to Wendy and she's like a daughter to me."

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