Cindy stands in Harry’s Barn in EastEnders

The star has been very busy! (Picture: BBC)
EastEnders star Michelle Collins has admitted she felt ‘exhausted’ following a lengthy storyline with her soap character, and needed some time off as a result.

The actress returned to her role as Cindy Beale in 2023 in a massive twist. It was believed that Cindy died during childbirth back in 1998, but she had actually been living undercover.

With that period of her life coming to an end, Cindy was told she could move back to England if she wanted. She chose to do so, moving back into the Beale household with Ian (Adam Woodyatt), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) and Peter (Thomas Law).

What followed next was a long narrative that saw Cindy lie through her teeth practically every day. After we learnt about Cindy’s connection to the Knight family, she started an affair with Junior (Micah Balfour), the son of her ex-husband.

Cindy Beale on the phone in EastEnders
Michelle returned as Cindy in 2023 (Picture: BBC)
The affair was revealed in spectacular fashion on Christmas Day in 2024. The episode ended with Cindy getting hit over the head with a shovel, with Kathy later being confirmed as the culprit.

In February of this year, Cindy left to stay with old friend Gita. In reality, this tied in with Michelle Collins’ new theatre show, and it also allowed her to have some much needed down time.

The star recently opened up about this, admitting that she felt a bit ‘exhausted with Cindy’.

Speaking during today’s episode of This Morning, Michelle said: ‘They gave me a bit of time off, you get a bit exhausted. I get a bit exhausted with Cindy, I needed some time off. I love playing her. She’s unapologetic, a lawbreaker, bold and you just never know what she’s going to do next.

‘She’s dysfunctional and interesting, but also kind of passionate and vulnerable. All those things are great to play as an actor.’

Cindy stands over Lauren, who is in labour, in EastEnders

Cindy recently helped Lauren through her labour (Picture: BBC)

Cindy returned a few weeks ago and faced quite a lot of angry faces as she got back. She had to confront multiple Walford residents impacted by the Queen Vic explosion in February, which only happened as a result of Cindy pushing Ian in front of a car.