Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has opened up about using a food bank amid her debt struggles. The actor, who played Heather Trott on the BBC soap between 2007 and 2012, shared her experience on today's (November 19) This Morning, admitting her own life "paralleled" aspects of her character's.

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Cheryl Fergison said her life paralleled her EastEnders character Heather Trott's when she was left in so much debt that she had to use a food bank. Credit: This Morning / ITV / ITVX

Cheryl Fergison became a household name playing Heather Trott in EastEnders but she was forced to turn to a food bank earlier this year after spiralling into debt

Cheryl Fergison, who became a household name when she starred as Heather Trott in 'EastEnders', has told how she has struggled financially, resulting in her claiming benefits and turning to a food bank,

Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has revealed she struggled with her finances and was forced to use a food bank after leaving the soap. The actress, 60, said it drove her to tears, adding: "It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I found it so difficult to be that vulnerable."

"I sat there and cried and cried. It was shameful. How could I have been on EastEnders? How could I have been earning that much money and now I am here?"

Former EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison has revealed she struggled to pay the bills and needed to visit a food bank after being treated for womb cancer. Fergison, known for playing Heather Trott on the BBC One soap from 2007 until 2012 as well as Celebrity Big Brother and The IT Crowd,