EastEnders’ Michelle Collins on her explosive Christmas storyline, her second marriage & how lucrative acting REALLY is
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THERE are a few things that really make it officially Christmas – Santa, presents and, of course, drama on Albert Square. EastEnders has always led the way when it comes to shocking Christmas Day story lines, making most family squabbles over the last Quality Street seem rather insignificant.
![[Michelle Collins first played Cindy Beale on EastEnders in 1988]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Shot_04_676jpg-JS952847336.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
Who can forget Den serving Angie Watts with divorce papers amid the celebrations, or Max Branning’s affair with Stacey Slater being exposed to all?. This year, a wrecking ball of drama is set to crash into the Beale family festivities, as Cindy’s affair is revealed in spectacular fashion.
![[Michelle cannot wait for this year's explosive Christmas drama]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Shot_03_407jpg-JS952847350.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
Despite rekindling her relationship with first husband Ian Beale and getting engaged, incriminating evidence captured on tape will expose her true love for ex-husband George and her scandalous affair with his son and her stepson, Junior. Michelle Collins, who has played Cindy in the BBC1 soap since 1988, cannot wait for the drama.
![[Michelle said: 'It will hopefully be a classic EastEnders and will deliver what people want']](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Shot_01_084jpg-JS952847372.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
“Well, of course this Christmas episode will be better,” she laughs. “Angie, Den and the divorce set the precedent. It was so good that now it’s like: ‘Oh, we’ve got to deliver a Christmas EastEnders classic, because everyone – even people who don’t normally watch it – tune in.’.
![[Michelle's ruthless character Cindy has always been a fan favourite because of her outrageous story lines]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Shot_03_426jpg-JS952847327.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
“It will hopefully be a classic EastEnders and will deliver what people want. “You can’t compare it to past Christmases, but I would say this one is very different. “Hopefully, people won’t be disappointed.”. Michelle, 62, is one of a host of “old faces” who have recently returned to Walford after being away for 25 years.
![[Michelle and Adam Woodyatt as Cindy and Ian Beale]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/448977jpg-JS853387569jpg-JS952850011.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
