Inside the off-screen life love life of EastEnders' Michelle Collins

EastEnders actress Michelle Collins hit headlines after she announced her return to Albert Square after taking a 25 years hiatus from playing her iconic role, Cindy Beale.

The 61-year-old star shocked fans of the show with her announcement after they believed her character has been killed off during her time in prison while giving birth. 

However, it seems a miracle saved the infamous villain and soon she will return to wreak havoc on the residents once more – although no details have been offered on storylines as of yet.

While Cindy destroyed the life of her husband Ian Beale, off-screen Michelle enjoyed a much calmer, wholesome love life that she chose to keep predominantly private. 

The star’s first notable romance was with her ex-partner Fabrizio Tassalini – who sadly died on October 31 2014 after losing his battle with liver cancer at his home in Melbourne, Australia.

During their relationship, they welcomed a daughter together – Maia Rose – in 1996 despite splitting up albeit remaining cordial in order to co-parent their little girl. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CslzuNXKlOb/

Michelle revealed she struggled with their separation and admitted she contemplated suicide in the months shortly after.

She told The Mirror: ‘I felt like I’d been tipped over the edge. I felt like a failure and found myself sinking lower and lower as the days went on, until in the end I couldn’t seem to pull myself out of the hole.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrfSYcMtSDq/

‘I remember swallowing some pills. There was no definite plan or explicit ­decision behind my actions. It just happened.’

Recovering from her heartbreak, the star found love again with Mike Davidson, who she tied the knot with last year in a low-key August ceremony. 

She first began dating her now-husband in 2012 and officially announced she was engaged in April 2022, ten years later. 

Chatting about her return to the soap opera that catapulted her into a household name, Michelle revealed: ‘It’s nerve wracking, but it’s also very exciting.

She continued telling The Sun: ‘I think things are about timing, really life is about timing and I think if it happened five years ago, I probably would have said no.’ 

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Source: Read Full Article