EastEnders’ Michelle Collins confirms flashbacks and Cindy Beale breakdown

There’s more to be explained about Cindy’s disappearance.

By Lewis Knight

Published: Saturday, 24 June 2023 at 12:00 am

Michelle Collins has confirmed that flashbacks will be used to explain Cindy Beale’s disappearance in EastEnders.

The actress reprised her iconic role as Cindy 25 years after the character was jailed and later died off-screen in 1998.

In June 2023, it was confirmed that Cindy was alive and had previously lived as Rose Knight, the wife of the new Queen Vic landlord George Knight (Colin Salmon).

Viewers later discovered that Cindy had informed on her gangster cellmate named Jackie Ford and was then placed in witness protection, with her loved ones being told she had died in prison.

Now Cindy will return to Walford full-time later this year alongside her first husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).

Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other publications at a recent press event, actress Michelle Collins confirmed that further scenes will depict Cindy’s time away and also revealed what she has been through.

Collins said about Cindy’s return: “She’s had a lot of tragedies in her life as well. I mean, she’s been through this whole witness protection, we’re kind of laughing about it but it really is dramatic, and we’ve got a few kinds of flashbacks – can I say that?

“That kind of playing with time – if you’re gonna play with time – and you know, Lucy’s been murdered… who else is dead?”

A cheeky Adam Woodyatt answered: “Steven, your eldest.”

An amused Michelle quickly added amid laughs: “See, she’s been through a lot. She’s had a breakdown and there are a lot of layers, which is great as an actor – that’s what you want to do.”

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