Penniless EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison broke down in tears in food bank after hitting rock bottom

Cheryl Fergison, who played Heather Trott in EastEnders, has revealed she broke down in tears in a food bank after hitting rock bottom.

The actress, 57, said she was left penniless after being axed from the soap in 2012 and struggled to find work.

She said: "I was so ashamed. I felt like a failure. I had nothing. I had no money, no job, no home. I was at rock bottom."

Fergison said she was forced to rely on food banks to feed herself and her daughter.

She said: "It was the most humiliating experience of my life. I had to queue up with all these other people who were also struggling.

"I felt so judged. I felt like a loser."

Fergison said she eventually found work as a cleaner and is now back on her feet.

She said: "I'm so grateful for the help I received from the food bank. It literally saved my life.

"I'm now working hard to rebuild my life and I'm determined to never let myself get into that position again."