MICHELLE Collins ascended to fame as the scheming Cindy Beale in EastEnders, but since then, the actress has carved an impressive career out for herself and she’s now appearing in 2021’s Celebrity MasterChef.
Here, we take a look back over the career of the woman who first rose to prominence in Albert Square.
Why did Michelle Collins quit Coronation Street?
In June 2011 Michelle joined the cast of EastEnders’ rival soap Coronation Street as Stella Price, new landlady of the Rovers Return pub.
She beat fellow actress Lisa Maxwell to the role.
But by 22 August 2013 it was announced that Michelle had decided to leave Coronation Street.
In January 2014, Michelle claimed she was “unhappy” over the lack of screen time for her and her character.
Michelle made her final appearance as Stella on 2 April 2014.
When was Michelle Collins in EastEnders?
Michelle Collins was born on May 28, 1961, and is an English actress, best known for her roles in EastEnders and Coronation Street.
Michelle trained at the Royal Court Activists and Cockpit Youth Theatre from the age of 14.
After she left school she did some stage work in the early 80s but her first TV appearance was with Gary Oldman in the BBC drama Morgan’s Boy.
While she was filming the BBC play Pressures in 1988, Michelle was spotted by EastEnders producer Julia Smith, and was asked to audition for the role of Cindy.
Michelle’s portrayal of the manipulative and reckless Cindy was a hit with viewers so her contract was extended and became a renowned villain in the series.
She played the unfaithful wife of EastEnders stalwart Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), between 1988 and 1998.
Is Michelle Collins married?
Michelle was married to her ex Fabrizio Tassalani for three years from 1995 to 1998.
They had a daughter, Maia Rose, on September 29 1996.
Michelle says that she and Fabrizio had an amicable relationship and worked together to co-parent their daughter until his death in 2014.
What did Michelle Collins do after leaving EastEnders?
After leaving EastEnders in 1998 her career flourished with a series of drama roles.
These included two series of Real Women (BBC One), two series of Sunburn (BBC One), Daylight Robbery (ITV), The Sleeper (BBC One), Uprising (ITV) three series of Two Thousand Acres of Sky
(BBC One), the two-part series Perfect (ITV), Lloyd and the Hill (ITV) and Ella and the Mothers (BBC One).
Michelle is currently competing in the 2021 series of Celebrity MasterChef.
