'EastEnders' bosses didn't take up the chance to cast Bob Hoskins in the soap, according to Cheryl Fergison.
EastEnders bosses didn't take up the chance to cast Bob Hoskins in the soap, according to Cheryl Fergison
The 57-year-old star portrayed Heather Trott in the BBC One soap from 2007 until the character's death in 2012, and she has claimed the 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' actor - who died in 2014 aged 71 - once told her he would be up for playing her character's dad in a few episodes.
She told the 'Soap From The Box' podcast: "I went to a charity event and Bob Hoskins was there.
"He said he would love to come in and play my dad for a few episodes.
"I went up to the 'EastEnders' head office and said, ‘This is the truth, last night I was here and Bob Hoskins said...' and they didn't take it up
"I just thought, ‘Oh my god, how wonderful would that have been if for a few episodes Bob Hoskins popped in and out of Heather's life?’ That would have been good."
Last month, Cheryl said she had pitched a brand-new storyline to 'EastEnders' bosses in a bid to return to the soap.
She said: "I still watch 'EastEnders' and I love watching it as a viewer.
"I would love if Heather's child came back to the soap to carry on her legacy.
"Another idea I have - I keep pitching it and nobody takes me up on the idea, I really think they're missing a trick.
"On the show I had a mother, she was pretty nasty and she used to sell babies with Aunt Babe in the caravan in Southend.
"Now, what if she had twins and gave one away and kept Heather and now Heather's dead and I could come back as the same actress but playing her twin.
"I could come back with baby George and carry that on."
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