Ever since Michelle Collins returned to our screens last year as EastEnders legend Cindy Beale, the actress has swiftly resumed her rightful place in the hearts of soap fans everywhere. Returning from the dead in an explosive storyline which revealed Cindy had actually been placed in witness protection and faked her own demise, the character’s return to Walford has had viewers hooked since it first kicked off in Summer 2023.
Now, almost a year on since that fateful return, Cindy shows no signs of slowing down as the truth about her recent kiss with former flame George Knight is set to be rumbled in the coming days. As regular viewers will know, Cindy and George dated while she was using the fake identity of Rose Knight and even went on to have two daughters, Anna and Gina, together before she skipped out on them without a word.
After returning to Walford, Cindy resumed her relationship with former husband Ian Beale, while George moved on with Elaine Peacock, but the growing chemistry between the pair soon led to them sharing a kiss. Since then, George has been battling with his grief following the death of his mother and turned to his beloved boxing ring to help him cope with the loss.
Yet in a devastating twist, George was recently informed that a further blow to the head could potentially kill him, with doctors urging the boxer to stop fighting if he wanted to survive. Unwilling to listen to their advice, George seems hell bent on taking to the ring once more, leaving Cindy with no other choice than to issue an ultimatum, in which she’ll come clean about their kiss if he doesn’t stop.
Although the full details has the storyline will play out have yet to be revealed, soap fans will know from experience that Cindy isn’t a woman to be trifled with and that her threat is far from empty.
Throughout her time in soap, Cindy became one of Albert Square's most infamous villains and was famously known for being the unfaithful wife of Ian Beale - however away from our screens Michelle couldn't be further from the scheming wife she played on screen.
Well known for her kind heart and friendly demeanour, Michelle is a far cry from Cindy's cold and ruthless attitude - which makes her skill at bringing the Walford baddie to life all the more impressive.
Here's everything we know about Michelle's life away from her soap alter-ego...
Early Life
Born Michelle Danielle Collins on 28th May 1962, Michelle first started her life in Hackney, East London before later moving to Highbury alongside her mum and older sister Vicki.
During her teenage years, Michelle first became interested in the arts and from the age of 14 onwards began training at the Royal Court Activists and Cockpit Youth Theatre, alongside her studies at Kingsway Princeton College, where she would go on to study drama and theatre.
Music career
Following her final exams, Michelle first embarked on a career in the performing industry after she landed a role in Mikhail Bulgakov's The Crimson Island at the Gate Theatre.
However while her acting was no doubt impressive, it was actually the star's voice that struck a chord with 70s band Squeeze. After appearing in their 1978 music video, Cool for Cats, she toured with the band for around 18 months, which saw her rub shoulders with artists such as Marc Almond, Level 42, Altered Images and Kid Creole and the Coconuts.
Return to Acting
When the band broke up in 1982, Michelle once again returned to acting after her pal, Hollywood star Tim Roth helped her secure a role in a musical with Gary Hutton and Gary Shail. A short time later, Michelle would go on to make her TV debut in BBC drama Morgan's Boy alongside another acting heavyweight Gary Oldman!
More TV credits soon followed throughout the 80s, with roles in The Bill, Pressures, and even Bergerac soon following. But it was while working on Pressures in particular that Michelle was spotted by EastEnders producer Julia Smith who decided to cast her in the soap for a total of 11 episodes.
Despite initially being cast for a short stint, Michelle quickly won over viewers with her portrayal of Cindy Beale, leading to her role being extended. She remained a beloved character on the show for over a decade before leaving in 1998.
After her exit, Michelle took on a variety of roles, including parts in acclaimed BBC series Two Thousands Acres of Sky, Doctor Who, Casualty, The Last Detective and The Illustrated Mum, based on Jaqueline Wilson's popular book.
Rival soap role
In a surprising move, 13 years after her last appearance on EastEnders, Michelle traded Walford for Weatherfield when she joined Coronation Street in 2011. Taking on the role of Stella Price, the new landlady of the Rovers Return and mother of Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley), she was involved in several high-profile storylines, including a romance with Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) and the shocking revelation that she was Leanne Battersby's (Jane Danson) biological mum.
She was also caught up in a dramatic storyline where her on-screen ex, Karl, set the iconic pub on fire, leading to the tragic death of Sunita Alahan. Despite the high-stakes drama, Michelle felt that her character wasn't reaching its full potential and decided to leave the show in 2014, after three years.
Personal Life
When it comes to her personal life, Michelle likes to keep things under wraps, especially her romantic relationships. Her first significant relationship was with Fabrizio Tassalini, and together they welcomed their daughter Maia Rose in 1996.
Even after parting ways, Michelle and Fabrizio maintained a friendly relationship, co-parenting their daughter until his untimely passing in 2014.
Since then, Michelle's heart has found its match again with Mike Davidson, and the couple started dating in 2012. Fast forward to April 2022, and Michelle joyfully shared news of their engagement, with the wedding bells ringing in August 2022.
The intimate ceremony was graced by close family and friends, including Michelle's dear friend and EastEnders colleague Adam Woodyatt, who described the event as both "emotional" and "amazing".
