Michelle Collins almost crashed car when EastEnders bosses asked her to return

29 August 2023 , 18:59

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Michelle Collins almost crashed car when EastEnders bosses asked her to return

Michelle Collins nearly crashed her car when EastEnders bosses asked her to return from the dead and bring Cindy Beale back to life.

The Albert Square legend returned to our screens last night 25 years after supposedly being killed off. But the actress says she wouldn't have done it if the script wasn't totally right - and says only the fact she's been gone for so long drew her back to the BBC soap again.

Michelle was a guest on the One Show tonight and told Angellica Bell and Roman Kemp that she and co-star Adam Woodyatt used to argue all the time on set. But now says they've both grown up and called each other as soon as execs put together the plan to reunite Cindy and Ian.

She said: "I was driving somewhere up north and had Bluetooth on, of course. I got the call, John Cannon called from EastEnders asking if I would go back. I nearly crashed the car actually, I was like 'I've got to stop!' I had to pull over. Then I thought 'I've got to phone Adam' and he's actually already called me.

Michelle Collins feared she would have a crash when she found out the huge news (BBC)

"He said: 'I've just had the call, have you?' and we both said yes! I didn't want to go back for one episode. It wouldn't have been worth it. I wanted to make sure it was planned property. It was a big move for me. I had to make sure it was the right decision. If I left five years ago, I would have said no."

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Michelle and Adam have patched up their difference as viewers see the troubled former couple burst back onto the Square. "We used to row all the time and we don't any more! We used to bicker, they used to call us George and Mildred," she said. "We were very different, but we've not gone full circle - I'm so fond of Adam, he's been so supportive. It's great to be working together again."

Michelle left viewers shocked when she returned as Cindy Beale (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Last week, we saw her arrive on the Eurostar to London, ahead of her plan to bring her son Peter Beale back and on Monday the big moment finally arrived as she stepped foot back in Walford. In epic scenes, Cindy came face-to-face with former nemesis and mother-in-law Kathy Beale - and the moment did not disappoint. Letting herself into the Beale house that was once her home, she shocked Kathy with her arrival - and all Kathy could do was say: "You're dead...".

Soon enough, Cindy explained all about her time in witness protection and her reunion with Kathy's son Ian. Things got heated though as the women faced off, leading to a classic EastEnders catfight. Soon enough though, Kathy kicked her out and warned her to stay away.

What Cindy didn't realise was that she was about to come face-to-face with another familiar face, but not someone from her time in Walford. Cindy failed to mention she had another family and had two daughters, Anna and Gina Knight. The Knights are now in Walford but Cindy didn't know this, so didn't see the need to mention her secret family to Kathy. If only she had though, as Kathy had organised the catering for Anna's birthday party.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs