MICHELLE Collins is an English actress who is best known for her role as Cindy Beale in EastEnders.
Here we take a look at Michelle's envious acting career and life.
Who is Cindy Beale actress Michelle Collins?
Michelle was born May 28, 1962 in east London.
Her mother, Mary, was from Wales whilst her father had English and Flemish heritage.
Michelle and her older sister Vicki were raised in Highbury, London by their mother.
When she was 14, Michelle's mother returned to university to pursue a law degree.
During the 1970s, Michelle was a member of the organisation Woodcraft Folk and visited Romania with the group.
Michelle trained at the Royal Court Activists and Cockpit Youth Royal Theatre when she was 14.
She attended Kingsway Princeton College where studied drama and theatre at O-Level and A-Level.
How long was Michelle Collins in EastEnders for?
Whilst Michelle was filming the BBC play Pressures in 1988, she was spotted by EastEnders producer, Julia Smith who asked her to audition for the role of Cindy Beale.
She was meant to star in 11 episodes but the manipulative, reckless nature of the character made her popular with viewers and Michelle's contract was extended so she could become a major villian in the series.
Cindy was the unfaithful wife of Ian Beale between 1988 and 1998 before she died giving birth to her daughter Cindy Williams.
During breaks from EastEnders, Michelle filmed Real Women for the BBC with Pauline Quirkie and Frances Barber.
Michelle briefly returned as Cindy in 2014 for a Children in Need.
In May 2023, it was announced that Michelle was returning to EastEnders after 25 years, resurrecting Cindy from the dead.
Michelle returned to the role permanently in June 2023 revealing she hadn't died in childbirth but had entered a witness protection programme, taking on the identity of Rose Knight.
'Rose' is married to George Knight and is the mother of daughters Gina and Anna.
Is Michelle Collins married?
In April 2022, Michelle announced her engagement to her partner of 10 years Mike Davidson.
They got married in August 2022.
Michelle shares a daughter Maia Rose with her ex-partner Fabrizio Tassalini.
Who did Michelle Collins play in Coronation Street and what other shows has she appeared in?
Michelle joined Coronation Street as Stella Price after she met the show's producer and close friend Phil Collinson.
Stella was the landlady of the Rovers Return pub.
It was announced Michelle was leaving Coronation Street in August 2013, later claiming she was unhappy with her characters lack of screen time.
She made her final appearance as Stella on April 2, 2014.
Michelle has starred in various other dramas including Casualty, Death in Paradise and Midsomer Murders.
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