Michelle Collins
Collins in 2006
Born
Michelle Danielle Collins

(1962-05-28) 28 May 1962
Hackney, London, England
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
  • television presenter
Years active1984–present
TelevisionEastEnders (1988–1998, 2023–present)
Coronation Street (2011–2014)
Spouse
Mike Davidson
​
(m. 2022)​
ChildrenMaia-Rose Tassalini Collins

Michelle Danielle Collins (born 28 May 1962) is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Cindy Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, and has also appeared as Stella Price in ITV's Coronation Street. Her other notable TV roles include the BBC dramas Real Women (1998–1999), Sunburn (1999–2000) and Two Thousand Acres of Sky (2001–2003).

Early life and education

Collins was born on 28 May 1962 at Hackney South East Hospital in Hackney, east London, to a Welsh mother, Mary, and a father of English and Flemish heritage.[1][2] Her Flemish grandfather was Belgian from Antwerp and had emigrated to the UK in 1915 when aged five.[3] She, alongside her elder sister Vicki, were brought up by their mother in Highbury, London.[1][4] When Collins was 14, her mother went back to university to obtain a law degree.[5] In the 1970s, Collins was a member of the youth organisation the Woodcraft Folk, and visited Romania with the group.[6]

Collins trained at the Royal Court Activists and Cockpit Youth Theatre from the age of 14, and Kingsway Princeton College, where she studied drama and theatre at O/A-level.[7]

Career

Early career

After her exams, Collins landed a role in Mikhail Bulgakov's The Crimson Island, directed by Lou Stein, at the Gate Theatre. Her career changed direction after performing in the 1978 video for the Squeeze song "Cool For Cats", and as a backing singer for Mari Wilson and the Wilsations. The band spent 18 months touring the country.[8] When the band broke up in 1982, she went back into acting and with the help of her friend, the British actor Tim Roth, she gained a part in a musical with Gary Hutton and Gary Shail.[9]

Collins's first TV appearance was with Gary Oldman in the BBC drama Morgan's Boy. Other TV credits included: two series of the sitcom Running Wild, where she played Ray Brooks daughter; a part in ITV drama The Bill; a Screen Two production Lucky Sunil, directed by Michael Caton Jones and a BBC play Pressures. She later appeared in three films: Personal Services, Empire State and Stephen Poliakoff's Hidden City. Collins appeared in an episode of the BBC's Bergerac (series 4) in 1985.[10]

EastEnders

While she was filming the BBC play Pressures in 1988, Collins was spotted by EastEnders producer Julia Smith, who asked her to audition for the role of Cindy Beale, who was to feature in 11 episodes of the soap. The manipulative, reckless nature of her character was a hit with viewers so her contract was extended and the character became a major villain in the series. Cindy was the unfaithful wife of EastEnders stalwart Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), between 1988 and 1998. During breaks from EastEnders she filmed the drama Real Women for the BBC, with Pauline Quirke and Frances Barber. On 14 November 2014, Collins reprised the role of Cindy for a short stint for Children in Need.[11]

In May 2023, it was announced that Collins would be returning to the soap after 25 years, alongside Woodyatt, thus resurrecting the character from the dead.[12] Collins returned to the role permanently in June 2023, where it is revealed that Cindy hadn't died in childbirth, but had entered a witness protection programme and had taken on the identity of 'Rose Knight', the wife of George Knight (Colin Salmon) and the mother of Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford).[13]

After EastEnders

After leaving EastEnders in 1998, her career saw a series of drama roles. These included: two series of Real Women (BBC One); two series of Sunburn (BBC One), for which Collins sang the theme song (which was a no. 28 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1999);[14] Daylight Robbery (ITV); The Sleeper (BBC One); Uprising (ITV): three series of Two Thousand Acres of Sky (BBC One):[15] the two-part series Perfect (ITV); Lloyd and the Hill (ITV) and Ella and the Mothers (BBC One). In 2003, Collins played Sarah Barton in Single.[16]

In 2003, Collins filmed the BBC drama Sea of Souls and then went on to star in a film for Granada/Channel 4 called The Illustrated Mum, which told the story of two girls coping with the unpredictable behaviour of their depressed, alcoholic mother. The film, written by Jacqueline Wilson, was based on the children's novel of the same name. It was screened over Christmas 2003 and won an Emmy Award and two BAFTAs.[17]

In 2004, she starred in an episode of French and Saunders and also starred with fellow EastEnders actor Martin Kemp in the ITV drama Can't Buy Me Love.[18] In 2005, Collins starred in the ITV drama The Last Detective and in the BBC drama The Family Man, alongside Daniela Denby-Ashe, which aired in March 2006. She starred in the West End musical Daddy Cool, and while working during the night there shot sequences for a cameo in the short film Broken written and directed by Vicki Psarias, which went on to win the several international awards. She also featured in the film Don't Stop Dreaming, released in 2007. She left Daddy Cool in January 2007 to shoot the Doctor Who episode "42".[19]

On 2 July 2007, it was announced that Collins has been cast for the lead role of Karina Faith in new ITV drama series, Rock Rivals, produced by Shed Productions.[20] In 2009, Collins took part in the BBC Wales programme Coming Home about her Welsh family history. On 21 May 2009, it was rumoured that Collins had auditioned to star in US drama Desperate Housewives, but she did join the cast.[21][22][23]

In June 2010, it was announced that Collins would make a six-episode guest appearance as a patient's mother in Casualty.[24] In 2010, she also guest-starred in Romeo & Juliet at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, playing the Nurse. From 7 April-7 May 2011, Collins starred as Sheila Grundy, Fred Dibnah's third wife, in The Demolition Man at Octagon Theatre, Bolton.[25]

Coronation Street

"I am honoured to be joining the cast of Coronation Street. The show has been part of my life since I was a child, so to become a part of it is extremely exciting."

In January 2011, a rumour was posted on Digital Spy that Collins was in talks to join EastEnders' main rivalling soap Coronation Street, after she allegedly met with soap's producer and close friend Phil Collinson.[26] Three months later it was confirmed Collins had joined the cast as Stella Price, new landlady of the Rovers Return pub, beating Lisa Maxwell for the role.[27] Her first episode aired on 16 June 2011 and gained a rating of 8.4 million.[28] It was announced on 22 August 2013 Collins had decided to leave Coronation Street.[29] In January 2014, Collins claimed she was "unhappy" over the lack of screen time for her and her character. Collins filmed her final scenes on 19 February 2014, and made her final appearance as Stella on 2 April 2014.[30]

After Coronation Street

Since leaving Coronation Street, Collins has had various guest roles in television dramas: Casualty as Samantha Kellman (2014), Death in Paradise as Annette Burgess (2015), and Midsomer Murders as Nadine Campbell (2016). In October 2019 Collins appeared in Casualty as Lorna Rowle/Hammond.[31] In 2016, Collins took part in the ITV reality series Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.[32]

Personal life

Collins has a daughter by ex-partner Fabrizio Tassalini, Maia Rose (b. 29 September 1996).[33]

In 2014, Collins revealed that in 1998 – distraught by the end of her relationship with Tassalini and feeling career pressure – she attempted suicide while filming Sunburn in Cyprus. She took an overdose of sleeping pills but later woke up and asked her costar to take her to hospital.[34]

After their split, Collins had an amicable relationship with Tassalini, who lived close by, and they raised their daughter together until he died in 2014.[5] In April 2022 Collins announced she was engaged to her partner of 10 years, Mike Davidson. They married in August.[35]

In August 2014, Collins was one of 200 public figures to sign a letter to The Guardian in opposition to Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue.[36]

Collins is involved in charitable causes. She is an ambassador for Oxfam and has visited Brazil, South Africa and Armenia, promoting the need for the basic right to education.[37] She is also an ambassador for Ambitious about Autism and a patron for the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation.[38][39]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Note(s)
1987 Empire State Emma
Personal Services June
Hidden City Applicant at Hairdressing Salon
1993 Shattered Family Julie
1996 Darkman III: Die Darkman Die Nurse
2000 The Sleeper Diana Wakeham
2001 Lloyd & Hill DI Judy Hill
2003 The Night We Called It a Day Mrs. Appleby
The Illustrated Mum Marigold Westward
2004 Bubblegum Jenny Short film
2007 Don't Stop Dreaming Jessica
Broken Janet Short film
2008 Play Mother
Getting Out Chelle
2013 Shades The Actress
2017 Black Road Maggie Laine
2021 Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins Mandy Williams
2022 The Long Walk Suzanne James Short film
2023 My House Sarah
2023 Melodrive Nora Indie Film - OJ Productions

Television

Year Title Role Note(s)
1984 Scene Ria Episode: "Good Neighbours"
Morgan's Boy Carol Episode: #1.1
1985 Marjorie and Men Debbie 2 episodes
Bergerac Trace Episode: "Chrissie"
1986 The Bill Sharon Brand Episode: "Loan Shark"
Gems Pru Murphy 10 episodes
1987–1989 Running Wild Stephanie Wild All 13 episodes
1987 Full House Abby Episode: "The First Day of School"
1988 Screen Two Daisy Episode: "Lucky Sunil"
1988–1990,
1992–1998,
2023–present		 EastEnders Cindy Beale Series regular
1999–2000 Sunburn Nicki Matthews Main role; 14 episodes
Daylight Robbery Kathy Lawrence Main role
2001–2003 Two Thousand Acres of Sky Abby Wallace Main role
2002 Ella and the Mothers Gina Main role
2003 The Illustrated Mum Marigold Westward Main role
Lloyd & Hill DI Judy Hill TV film
2004 French and Saunders Regan Lear Episode #6.4
Sea of Souls Katie Quinn 2 episodes
2005 The Last Detective Maureen Fallon Episode: "Willesden Confidential"
2006 The Family Man Gillian TV film
2007 Doctor Who Kath McDonnell Episode: "42"
2008 Rock Rivals Karina Faith 8 episodes
2009 Hotel Babylon Karen Episode: #4.8
2010 Agatha Christie's Marple Treadwell Episode: “The Secret of Chimneys”
Casualty Camille Lewis 4 episodes
2011–2014 Coronation Street Stella Price Series regular; 447 episodes
2014 Casualty Samantha Kellman 3 episodes
Children in Need Cindy Beale EastEnders special
2015 Death in Paradise Annette Burgess Episode: “She Was Murdered Twice”
Suntrap Coco Episode: “Casino”
2016 Midsomer Murders Nadine Campbell Episode: “The Incident at Cooper Hill”
2018 The Dumping Ground Fiona Johnson 4 episodes
2019 Queens of Mystery Electra Bliss 2 episodes "Death by Vinyl"
Casualty Lorna Rowle Episode: #34.8

Guest appearances

Stage

Year Title Role Note(s)
1990–1991 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Snow White Oxford Apollo
1991–1992 Aladdin The Princess Oxford Apollo
1994–1995 Jack and the Beanstalk Jack Hackney Empire
1996–1997 Dick Whittington Alice Fitzwarren Orchard Theatre, Dartford
2004 Rattle of a Simple Man Cyreene Harold Pinter Theatre
2004–2005 The Play What I Wrote Various UK Tour
2006–2007 Daddy Cool Ma Baker Shaftesbury Theatre
2008–2009 Cinderella Wicked Stepmother Bristol Hippodrome
2010 Calendar Girls Cora Phoenix Theatre; Various
2011 Romeo and Juliet Nurse Octagon Theatre, Bolton
2011 The Demolition Man Sheila Grundy Octagon Theatre, Bolton
2014 The Glass Supper Wendy Hampstead Theatre, London
2016 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Baroness Bombhurst UK Tour
2016–2017 Aladdin The Genie Aylesbury Waterside
2017 A Dark Night in Dalston Gina Park Theatre, London
Thoroughly Modern Millie Mrs. Meers UK Tour
2017–2018 Cinderella Wicked Stepmother Orchard Theatre, Dartford
2018–2019 Jack and the Beanstalk Fairy Nuff Crewe Lyceum
2019 My Dad’s Gap Year Cath Park Theatre, London
How Love is Spelt Marion Southwark Playhouse
2019–2020 Sleeping Beauty Carabosse Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
2020 The Birthday Party Meg UK Tour
2021 Safe Sex Marion The Turbine Theatre, London
2021–2022 Sleeping Beauty Nightshade Poole Lighthouse Theatre
2022 Cluedo Miss Scarlett UK Tour

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Work Result Ref.
2013 2013 British Soap Awards Best Actress Coronation Street Nominated [40]
2023 I Talk Telly Awards Best Soap Partnership (with Adam Woodyatt) EastEnders Nominated [41]

References

  1. 1 2 Collins, Michelle (2014). This Is Me. Michael O'Mara Books. p. 9. ISBN 978-1782432326.
  2. ↑ "BBC One – Coming Home, Series 4, Michelle Collins". BBC. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Lambert, Victoria (10 October 2016). "Michelle Collins: 'I signed up to be an actress, not a celebrity'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  4. ↑ "Life after Cindy". WalesOnline. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Exclusive Michelle Collins on Her Looks, The Toyboy, Pole-Dancing, Yoga.. And Why She Stopped Watching X Factor". Daily Mirror. 9 March 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  6. ↑ Lam, Sophie (15 March 2008). "My Life in Travel: Michelle Collins". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  7. ↑ Charalambous, Anthi (6 June 1999). "How We Met: Michelle Collins & Aldo Zilli". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "Interview: Michelle Collins on a thoroughly modern career | The Scotsman".
  9. ↑ "Michelle Collins: I love acting, but I need more". Glasgow Times. 23 February 2017.
  10. ↑ Quinn, Angie (22 June 2023). "Michelle Collins' life from forgotten Corrie role to husband 22 years younger". MyLondon.
  11. ↑ Liz Cookman (7 November 2014). "Why it's time to stop bringing old EastEnders characters back". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "EastEnders spoilers: Cindy Beale returns from the dead in massive shocking twist". Metro. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  13. ↑ "EastEnders: Michelle Collins returns as Cindy Beale after 25 years". BBC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  14. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, UK: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 115. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  15. ↑ "BBC Drama – Two Thousand Acres of Sky – Michelle Collins". BBC. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  16. ↑ Cousens, Claire (3 November 2003). "ITV drama hopes dashed". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  17. ↑ "The Illustrated Mum - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  18. ↑ "Can't Buy Me Love - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  19. ↑ "Collins cast". BBC Doctor Who website. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  20. ↑ "Michelle Collins lands 'Rock Rivals' role", Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "EastEnders" Star Auditions for "Housewives", Digital Spy, 14 July 2009.
  22. ↑ "Michelle Collins Has 'Desperate Housewives' Audition", What's on TV, 14 July 2009.
  23. ↑ Michelle Collins "Would Do Soap Again", Digital Spy, 30 July 2009.
  24. ↑ Staff (27 March 2014). "Michelle Collins to Guest Star". Holby.tv. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  25. ↑ Hickling, Alfred (11 April 2011). "The Demolition Man – review". The Guardian.
  26. ↑ Daniels, Colin (23 January 2011). "Michelle Collins for 'Coronation Street'?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  27. ↑ "Michelle Collins joins Coronation Street". BBC News. 15 April 2011.
  28. ↑ Laughlin, Andrew (17 June 2011). "Michelle Collins's 'Coronation Street' debut nabs 8.4m". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  29. ↑ "Michelle Collins to leave Coronation Street". BBC News. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  30. ↑ Michelle Collins (2 April 2014). "T'rah Stella! Michelle Collins waves goodbye to Coronation Street and opens up on life after the cobbles". Metro. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  31. ↑ "BBC Richard Osman's House of Games: Michelle Collins' 22 year age gap with younger boyfriend who she was introduced to by her niece". My London. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  32. ↑ "Michelle Collins is left hanging on Mission Survive". Digital Spy. 24 March 2016.
  33. ↑ Michelle Collins (2014). This Is Me. Michael O'Mara Books. p. 112. ISBN 978-1782432326.
  34. ↑ Doug Wight (30 March 2014). "Michelle Collins tells of suicide bid: I took pills and decided no one would miss me". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  35. ↑ McCartney, Gemma (15 August 2022). "Michelle Collins' wedding pics from rule-breaking reception to barefoot dancing". OK! Magazine.
  36. ↑ "Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories". The Guardian. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  37. ↑ "Countries we work in | Oxfam GB". Oxfam.org.uk. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  38. ↑ "Ambassadors". Ambitious about Autism. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  39. ↑ "Patrons". Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013.
  40. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (11 March 2013). "British Soap Awards 2013 voting opens, nominations revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  41. ↑ Gonzalez, Elliot (11 November 2023). "Nominations revealed for the I Talk Telly Awards 2023 as voting opens". I Talk Telly.

Published works

  • Michelle Collins (2014). This Is Me. Michael O'Mara. ISBN 978-1782432326.
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