Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has revealed the devastating moment she discovered her first husband, Jamshed Saddiqi, was unfaithful—and the financial blow that followed their divorce. The actress, best known for playing hapless Heather Trott, recounts these painful experiences in her new autobiography, Behind the Scenes.
The Dingy Love Nest
Cheryl’s suspicions grew over weeks, triggered by small clues—most notably an unfamiliar perfume in her husband’s car. She initially tried to dismiss it as a harmless explanation. But when she found a mysterious number on their phone bill, alarm bells rang.
“I began to suspect that my husband was cheating on me,” she writes. “But I tried to convince myself I was wrong.”
Her detective work eventually led her to a shocking discovery: Saddiqi’s secret rendezvous in a dingy, makeshift love nest. Cheryl recalls seeing a blonde woman perched on a dirty bed, sipping a bright blue WKD, with her husband standing silently beside her.
“That night, I packed up the car, strapped Alex into his seat, and drove to London. Leaving my marriage and Jay behind,” she writes.
Financial Betrayal
Three years after her divorce, Cheryl suffered another blow. She discovered she had been left penniless due to the couple’s short-lived marriage. “For five years, I paid him. For five years he pocketed the money and didn’t pay a single penny to HMRC,” she revealed.
Cheryl explains the emotional toll of financial ruin: “Going broke when you’re famous is the worst because everyone expects you to have lots of money. People assume that you’re minted. But I was juggling overdrafts, maxed-out credit cards, payday loans, and mountains of bills.”
Life After Heartbreak
Despite her past hardships, Cheryl has built a new life with second husband Yassine Al-Jermoni, a Moroccan national. The couple faced visa challenges, with Al-Jermoni unable to relocate to the UK for nine years due to bureaucratic delays, a devastating earthquake, and the coronavirus pandemic.
“Financially, it can be a strain to get these visas,” Cheryl told OK! magazine. “But we’re here now, in Blackpool—the Vegas of the north!—and we’re settled.”
A Second Chance at Love
Cheryl’s romance with Al-Jermoni began in 2010 after meeting online. She waited five months before revealing her identity or sharing her picture. The “old-fashioned” courtship allowed them to connect deeply before meeting in person.
When they finally met in Agadir, Cheryl says it was instant chemistry. “I saw him and it was like ping. I knew he was the man I was going to marry.” They wed the following June, marking a joyful new chapter in Cheryl’s life.
Lessons Learned
Reflecting on her experiences, Cheryl credits resilience and self-reliance for helping her rebuild her life. Her journey from betrayal and financial devastation to happiness with her second husband underscores her determination and strength.
Cheryl’s story serves as a reminder that even public figures face personal heartbreaks and financial challenges. Her candidness about love, loss, and recovery resonates with fans who have followed her on-screen and off.
Today, Cheryl balances family, career, and marriage while continuing to captivate audiences with her charm, humor, and honesty.
