IT’S THE EastEnders comeback no fan ever saw coming – Cindy Beale back from the dead.
The character died off-screen 25 years ago during childbirth while in jail for attempted murder.
Fans are loving the return of EastEnders’ Cindy Beale
Who is Cindy Beale in EastEnders?
Cindy Beale – played by actress Michelle Collins — first appeared on EastEnders in 1988 and dated barman Simon Wicks (played by Nick Berry) before starting a relationship with Ian and marrying him in 1989.
The marriage soon hit trouble and she had a fling with Richard Cole (Ian Reddington), who claimed to be the father of her and Ian’s twins — Lucy and Peter.
Cindy also had an affair with Simon’s half-brother David Wicks (Michael French).
She was written out in a plot which saw her hire a hitman to kill husband Ian Beale, then change her mind too late.
After Ian was shot and injured, she fled to Italy but was arrested for attempted murder and remanded in custody.
In November 1998 Ian was told Cindy had died while giving birth to a daughter, Cindy Williams.
After leaving EastEnders, Actress Michelle also appeared in Coronation Street as pub landlady Stella Price from 2011-14, and in Casualty as events organiser Samantha Kellman in summer 2014.
She has also featured in Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders, and The Dumping Ground.
When is Cindy Beale returning to EastEnders?
After 25 years away from EastEnders, Cindy made a brief return to the soap on June 21, 2023.
In the last few moments of the episode, viewers watched her lounging by a pool ignoring a call from George Knight.
It was revealed in the episode that George’s missing wife Rose was not in fact missing – and instead had just disappeared having never really existed.
When George discovered the information, he played the track Kiss From A Rose by Seal in a nod to his ex-wife.
He then called ‘Rose’s’ number – but it was Cindy’s phone which rang.
This is paving the way for big comeback to Albert Square, where she’ll be joined by her ex-husband Ian Beale (played by Adam Woodyatt).
What have people said about Cindy Beale returning to EastEnders?
There has been a mixed reaction from viewers to Cindy coming back from the dead.
Fans took to Twitter to share their opinions on the biggest comeback EVER in soapland.
Many were thrilled to see Cindy returning EastEnders, with one writing: “Welcome back Cindy Beale. Class.”
As another penned: “I am over the moon to see Cindy back. One of my first memorable characters of #EastEnders growing up!”
Before a third added: “Talk about shock endings.”
While some were a bit unsure, with one tweeting: “I’m not sure about this – we’ve had this with Dirty Den.”
While this one commented: “Do we really need this storyline?”
