31 October 2023 , 17:26
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EastEnders fans can look forward to some major drama from the BBC One soap this Christmas, as Cindy Beale's chemistry with her ex-husband is set to rock Albert Square over the next couple of months.
The Walford icon, played by Michelle Collins will be joined by former husband George Knight, and her children for their first festive holiday in 10 years. The character had previously lived in Marbella with the pro boxer and their daughters but fled for a new life after her witness protection was thrown into jeopardy. Show insiders have warned, however, that Cindy's fixation on her first marriage will be hard to ignore as she rekindles her connection with the charming barman.
Cindy and Ian Beale are back in Albert Square (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)"There’s definitely huge chemistry at Christmas between her and George," EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw told Metro. We have the Beales and the Knights come together at Christmas to have Cindy’s first Christmas in ten years with her daughters and Peter, but what becomes quite apparent is her and George’s connection when they actually start to reminisce about Christmases of the past, of them together in Marbella – which is not what anyone, especially Ian or Elaine, wants to hear on Christmas Day."
Cindy met George Knight after fleeing to Marbella, where she went by the identity 'Rose' and lived in a witness protection programme. The couple got married and had two daughters, Gina and Anna, only for Cindy/Rose to leave Spain after a heated argument with her husband and head to France with Ian Beale.
Having assumed her to be dead, George is unsurprisingly stunned to see Cindy back on Albert Square all these years later. He quickly stiffens, however, after learning that the iconic villain did not return for him or their daughters, and was not even aware that they were living in Walford.
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George even lies to Cindy when she demands to know the location of Gina and Anna, insisting they are both still in Spain in the hopes of protecting them from their unpredictable mother. He then takes her to the barrel store to demand answers but is interrupted by Linda Carter who hails him for his selfishness in the planning of Anna's party. Having realized that her daughters are in the vicinity, Cindy darts into the Queen Vic where she sets eyes on Anna and Gina for the first time in a decade.
Cindy reunites with ex husband George after 10 years (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron/Matt Burlem)Her return to Albert Square alongside Ian sends shockwaves through the community, with many people having assumed that Cindy was dead all this time. She desperately tries to explain her reasons to Anna and Gina for leaving them without warning, before being urged to go home by a distraught George. Cindy and Ian eventually seek shelter in Alfie Moon's house, but it remains to be seen how their stay in Walford this winter will play out.