EastEnders' Cheryl Fergison fancies a pop career

EastEnders favourite Cheryl Fergison played hapless-in-love Heather Trott for nearly five years. Now that her character is being killed off in the soap, Cheryl's considering numerous options - including a singing career.

She told ITV1 show, This Morning: "I've written songs from since I was a teenager, really. I never took music seriously, but then I started to learn how to play instruments - I taught myself."

The actress added: "I've got a saxophone at home, I've got a drum kit, I play guitar, I play a little bit of piano. I don't read music, I play by ear. This is a hobby that I would quite like to look into a bit more. It's showing people that as an actor you can do other things."

Will she be the next Kylie Minogue or Jason Donovan? Both soap actors transitioned into a successful career in pop (although Kylie remains on an entirely different level compared to the many that have followed in her wake).

In addition, Walford star Cheryl won't rule out a stint of reality TV: "I like the jungle (I'm A Celebrity)... I like watching Big Brother... all of those things! I do like them all so you never know... Would I go to Australia? I'd go anywhere!"

Cheryl said of her departure from the BBC soap: "It's been amazing to play her and I've had a great time at EastEnders. It was very sad leaving there with all my friends in the cast and the crew."

She added of her alter-ego: "Heather's been a brilliant character to play."