Natalie Cassidy 'splits from fiancé Adam Cottrell' after his arrest over alleged assault on former EastEnders star

Natalie Cassidy has allegedly split from her fiancé and cancelled their £50,000 white wedding planned for later this year after his arrest on assault charges.

She has also booted him out f the £190,000, two-bed flat she shared with him and their seven-month-old daughter Eliza in Brouxbourne, Hertfordshire.

The news comes as the star's father claims that Cottrell 'punched a hole in a microwave oven' shortly before he was arrested on suspicion of beating the 28-year-old former EastEnders actress. 

Dreams up in smoke: Natalie Cassidy was seen smoking outside her flat in Hertfordshire yesterday after apparently splitting with her fiancé and booting him out

A source close to the devastated star, who played trumpet-playing Sonia Fowler on the show, told the Mirror: 'At the moment she doesn’t want anything to do with Adam and thinks it best if they have some time apart.

'Adam is now staying at mates’ houses and trying to keep a low profile until his magistrates’ hearing next week.' 

Natalie's father Charles Cassidy meanwhile claims that 31-year-old Cottrell smashed in a microwave just before he was charged with two counts of beating the star and two of criminal damage.

Mr Cassidy, 74, said that Natalie fled the flat she shared with Cottrell after a furious argument.

He alleges Cottrell smashed his fist into the kitchen oven when Natalie to return to the home they shared.

  

Feeling the strain: Natalie takes a puff and looks crestfallen at the turn of events

Deep in thought: Natalie looked miles away as she stared off into the distance

Mr Cassidy told The Sun today that his daughter had stayed with him instead at his house in Gosberton, Lincolnshire.

He alleged: 'Natalie and the baby came here, we spent Saturday together and had lunch.

'On Sunday she told him on the phone she wouldn't be going back and we heard this crash in the background. He'd put his fist through the microwave.'

The star, who played Sonia in the BBC soap, called the police and Cottrell was arrested at 6pm on Sunday.

Arrested: Natalie Cassidy's fiancé Adam Cottrell, pictured this month with the actress, has been charged with assault following a row between the couple

She was seen stood on the balcony of her Hertfordshire home smoking yesterday as the news broke about his arrest.

Hertfordshire police said: 'We were called on Sunday around 5.30pm.

'Adam Cottrell has been charged with two counts of assault by beating and two counts of criminal damage. He will appear at East Herts Magistrates Court on May 31st.'

It is not known why the couple were arguing. 

The incident occurred as a gushing interview with Miss Cassidy was published in this week's Closer magazine, in which she talks about the couple's spicy love life.

Heated: Miss Cassidy called the police after Cottrell, pictured with their seven-month-old daughter Eliza, allegedly smashed up a microwave

She told the magazine: 'We (she and Cottrell) are having more sex than ever since we got back from our holiday to Cyprus (earlier this month).

'But we’re not at it like rabbits. I’ve no time for dressing up in sexy maid outfits!'

A source close to Miss Cassidy told the Mirror: 'Natalie is absolutely devastated by events.

'She and Adam had a huge argument and it spiralled massively out of control.'

Family life: The couple were filmed during Miss Cassidy's pregnancy for a Channel 4 series Natalie Cassidy: Becoming Mum

'Her main concern is the welfare of her daughter and, for now, she just wants to keep a low profile and get on with her life until this has all been resolved.'

The couple welcomed daughter Eliza in September. Miss Cassidy's pregnancy was chronicled on her Channel 4 series Natalie Cassidy: Becoming Mum, in which Cottrell starred with her.

Miss Cassidy, who starred in EastEnders from 1993 to 2007 and returned to the soap last year, became engaged to Cotttrell last May during a holiday in Italy after meeting at the 2009 Isle of Wight festival.