Natalie Cassidy shocks fans as she reveals daughter Eliza, 10, has secretly been taking part in Junior Bake Off

NATALIE Cassidy surprised her fans this evening when she revealed her daughter Eliza has secretly been taking part in Junior Bake Off.

The EastEnders actress, 38, only shared the news that it was her daughter tonight as she sadly lost her place in the tent.

She admitted she had initially dashed Eliza’s hopes of even getting on the show – but was now full of admiration for her, saying she is “the proudest mum alive”.

Sharing a picture of the youngster with a mixing bowl and whisk, Natalie gushed: “This is Eliza. She was 10 and decided to enter for the junior bake off. I said, oh Eliza, you’ll never get through, thousands apply and I don’t want you to be disappointed. She got through.

“And her confidence, determination and maturity has blown me away. I am proud of my daughters everyday. But to watch one of them be so kind and helpful to others in the tent every night this week, has made me the proudest mum alive.

“I haven’t said much about it- Nothing to do with me whatsoever. This was her adventure. Thank you @britishbakeoff for having her and looking after her so well throughout the process. My advice to all. When your child wants to do something don’t stop them. Dreams do come true. ♥️🧁🎂🍰”

Her followers were shocked to discover Eliza’s very famous mum after watching her on the show.

One person wrote: “Oh my goodness, I had no idea she was your daughter. Love her, she's so lovely and very funny. An absolute credit to you ❤.”

Another added: “Aww I didn’t realise Eliza was your daughter! I said yesterday to my daughter (who is also a budding baker, in fact she’s practicing now baking a cake at 8pm on a Friday evening!!) how kind Eliza was to others and how proud I’d be if she was mine!”

While someone else remarked: “Omg I didn't realise this was your daughter  .....what a proud mum u must be. She is such a lovely girl and so helpful and friendly and quite honestly had me in stitches all week.”

Natalie shared Eliza with her former boyfriend Adam Cottrell and she is also mum to Joanie with her husband – EastEnders cameraman Marc Humphreys.