Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has opened up about the moment she realized her character, Heather Trott, was going to be axed from the long-running BBC soap — and the subtle signs that often precede such decisions.
Fergison, who portrayed the lovable Heather Trott from 2007 until her tragic on-screen death in 2012, shared the behind-the-scenes details in a candid interview. Her character, known as Shirley Carter’s best friend, met a devastating end when she was murdered by Ben Mitchell, leaving fans heartbroken.
Reflecting on her departure, Fergison revealed how cast members often sense when their time on EastEnders is coming to an end. “I had a feeling it might be coming,” she admitted. “We’d always joke that either you’re going up to talk about your storyline, or you’re part of the culling.”
The Telltale Signs of an Exit
According to Fergison, actors usually have regular meetings with the show’s bosses to discuss upcoming storylines. However, when those meetings don’t happen, alarm bells start ringing.
“That particular week, as Friday approached, I hadn’t had a meeting, and neither had Linda [Henry, who plays Shirley Carter],” she explained. “I started to realize that because I hadn’t been called in to discuss my character’s future, something was up.”
Her suspicions were confirmed when she was finally summoned to meet then-producer Brian Kirkwood. “When I walked in, he looked visibly upset. I had an inkling of what was coming. He asked me to sit down, and I knew straight away it wasn’t going to be anything exciting,” Fergison recalled.
Kirkwood delivered the difficult news, explaining that the show’s higher-ups had decided they wanted to explore a storyline focused on Shirley Carter’s grief, which meant Heather had to be written out. “He explained that the Powers That Be wanted to dive into Shirley dealing with loss, and that meant Heather was going to die,” she said.
A Legacy on Albert Square
Heather Trott became one of EastEnders’ most beloved characters during her five-year run, known for her quirky personality, love of karaoke, and her close friendship with Shirley Carter. Her unexpected and brutal death at the hands of Ben Mitchell remains one of the soap’s most shocking moments.
Since leaving EastEnders, Cheryl Fergison has continued her acting career, appearing in theatre productions and various TV roles. Despite her character’s tragic end, Fergison looks back fondly on her time on the soap and the impact Heather Trott had on fans.
Her candid insight offers a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of soap operas, where even fan-favorite characters can be written off in the name of dramatic storytelling.
EastEnders continues to air on BBC One, delivering more of the drama and heartbreak that has made it a British TV staple for nearly four decades.
