Biography

Natalie Jane Anderson was born in Bradford on October 24th 1981. From an early age Natalie wanted to be a performer and attended Intake High School, a performing arts school in Leeds which has been the breeding ground for many well known faces such as Mel B and Angela Griffin . In 1996 whilst attending Intake Natalie won her first television role Playing bitchy school girl Francesca in BBC'S The Biz alongside, Paul Nichols, Nathan Constance and Andrew Lee Potts.

After graduating from Intake in 2000 Natalie then went on to study for a BA in Performing Arts at LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney. It was whilst at LIPA that Natalie entered the first series of Pop Idol which saw her competing with the likes of Will Young and Gateth Gates. Natalie narrowly missed out on the opportunity, failing to get into the final 10 after coming third in her heat which was won by Will Young and Korben. The experience however successfully acquired her a music manager and agent.

Natalie graduated from LIPA in 2003 and immediately set about auditioning for various TV roles. Natalie very quickly won herself a role in Dalziel and Pascoe but it was 9 months after leaving drama school that she got her big break when she landed the role of Nurse Stella Davenport in ITV'S 1960's medical drama 'The Royal'. Originally only contracted for 6 episodes Natalie went on to play the role for another 3 years.

Following Natalie's success in The Royal throughout 2005 she gained roles in medical drama Holby City and ITV’s Wire In the Blood alongside Robson Green.
Natalie returned to film her fourth and final series of The Royal in 2007. Leaving The Royal made way for her to explore another of her passions, singing! Natalie began working with music producer Steve Chrisanthou, Paul McKendrick, Paul Siddall and Andy Thornton all of whom she worked with in creating new material to add to her debut album 'Return To Me' which was released in Nov 2008! Natalie enjoyed several months touring, performing songs from her album to thousands up and down the country . It was after this tour that Natalie decided to add another string to her bow!!

At the end of 2008 Natalie won the role of Nessarose in the award- winning musical Wicked at the Apollo Victoria theatre in Londons West End. Natalie performed her first show in May 2009 and continued to wow the audience alongside Alexia Khadime and Diane Pilkington for the remainder of that year and the beginning of the 2010.

After a successful year in Londons West End, Natalie returned up North and back onto our screens as Emmerdales feisty Alicia Gallagher in July 2010. Speaking of her current role Natalie has said “She’s absolutely brilliant. I can’t explain how much I love playing her!”