Former EastEnders icon Natalie Cassidy has issued a stern plea after spotting a false story about her circulating on social media.
The actress, 42, recently left her role as the BBC soap's long-running character Sonia Fowler earlier this year, but has now found herself at the centre of fake stories.
Cassidy, who has starred on the soap on and off since 1993, has gone on to host a consumer series for Channel 4 since leaving the soap in April, and is also set to front a BBC documentary about training to be a carer.
However, she was forced to issue an urgent message on her social media account on Thursday, sharing a snap of the "disgusting" headline.
Natalie Cassidy has starred as Sonia Jackson in EastEnders on and off for three decades BBCThe screenshot, taken from an article shared with an EastEnders fan page on Facebook, reads: "Natalie Cassidy Breaks Down as She Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis: 'I Didn’t Want Anyone to Know…' ….. See Details in Comment."
The article included two photos of Cassidy as her EastEnders character, and the actress wrote in her post: "THIS IS DISGUSTING AND DISGRACEFUL.
"So many people are going through this and I have had messages asking if I'm ok.
"It is completely made up and a terrible story." She concluded the message by pleading: "Take this down whoever you are."
Natalie Cassidy shared the plea on her Instagram account
Cassidy isn't the only soap star who has had to clear up lies with fans recently. Just days ago, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley recorded a video warning her social media followers to be cautious.
The message came after AI bots had "pretended to be" the well-known actress.
"If something is not on my page – and my page is blue-ticked – then it is not real," she told social media followers.
The 48-year-old went on: "It is AI pretending to be me, and there is nothing I can do about it.
"It's a hoax, it’s a scam and it’s a lie. So please, I'm begging you, don't click on it, don't believe it, don't read it, don't give it any attention. It’s not true."
The soap star, who plays Mandy Dingle on the ITV programme, has also been forced to apologise previously after some fans handed over bank details to someone posing as the actress.
The growing trend has prompted several famous faces to issue warnings to their fans.
Last year, singing legend Sir Tom Jones' representatives had to issue a statement on behalf of the 85-year-old.
Natalie Cassidy left EastEnders this April
BBCThe post, shared to the crooner's Instagram and X accounts, read: “Regrettably, it has come to our attention that there is a large number of fake online profiles impersonating Sir Tom Jones and/or his team, who are attempting to scam fans and members of the public.
"Please be aware that Sir Tom Jones only has access to his verified (blue tick) Facebook/Instagram/X/Youtube and TikTok accounts.
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Natalie Cassidy fumed over the 'disgusting' fake story
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“Sir Tom does not communicate to individuals directly or personally via his social channels.
"If a fake profile tried to chat with you privately, report and block them. This will NOT be Sir Tom Jones or his team.
“It is sad and disheartening to hear of these scammers attempting to trap and abuse vulnerable people, so please be careful and stay safe online. Tom Jones management.”
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