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Michelle Danielle Collins (born 28 May 1962) is a British actress. She is known for her role as Cindy Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (1988–1990, 1992–1998, 2023–present), as well as appearing as Stella Price in ITV's Coronation Street (2011–2014). Her other notable television roles include the BBC dramas Real Women (1998–1999), Sunburn (1999–2000) and Two Thousand Acres of Sky (2001–2003).
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.
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.
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. 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 Knight (Francesca Henry) and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford).
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 .
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. 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".
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. "Michelle Collins lands 'Rock Rivals' role" , Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2014. 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. "EastEnders" Star Auditions for "Housewives", Digital Spy, 14 July 2009. "Michelle Collins Has 'Desperate Housewives' Audition", What's on TV, 14 July 2009. Michelle Collins "Would Do Soap Again", Digital Spy, 30 July 2009.
In June 2010, it was announced that Collins would make a six-episode guest appearance as a patient's mother in Casualty. 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.
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. In April 2022, Collins announced she was engaged to her partner of 10 years, Mike Davidson. They married in August that year.
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.
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. She is also an ambassador for Ambitious about Autism and a patron for the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation.
| 1987 | Personal Services | June |
| Empire State | Emma | |
| Hidden City | Applicant at Hairdressing Salon | |
| 1992 | Come by Chance | Young cowgirl |
| 1993 | John Virgo: Playing for Laughs | Herself |
| A Place to Be Loved | Julie | |
| 1995 | Ten Years in Albert Square | Herself |
| 1996 | Nurse | |
| 1999 | Real Women II | Susie Ball |
| 2000 | A Question of EastEnders | Herself |
| Waking Mele | Bar Patron | |
| 2001 | Perfect | Julie |
| Lloyd & Hill | DI Judy Hill | |
| 2002 | Ella and the Mothers | Gina |
| 2003 | It Shouldn't Happen to a TV Actor | Kathy Lawrence |
| Life After the Square | Herself | |
| 2004 | PJ's Storytime | Herself |
| Essential Poems for Christmas | ||
| Bubblegum | Jenny | |
| Can't Buy Me Love | Donna Harris | |
| 2006 | The Family Man | Gillian |
| 2007 | Jackie Magazine: A Girl's Best Friend | Herself |
| Don't Stop Dreaming | Jessica | |
| Broken | Janet | |
| 2008 | An Audience with Neil Diamond | Herself |
| The Bill Made Me Famous | ||
| Play | Mother | |
| Getting Out | Chelle | |
| 2011 | EastEnders: Greatest Exits | Cindy Beale |
| 2012 | National Television Awards: The Party | Herself |
| Coronation Street: A Christmas Corrie | Stella Price | |
| 2013 | Daily Mirror: The Pride of Britain Awards | Herself |
| Shades | ||
| 2014 | Coronation Street: A Moving Story | |
| Cindy Beale | ||
| 2015 | 20 Moments That Rocked the 80's | Herself |
| 20 Moments That Rocked the 90s | ||
| 2017 | What Does and Idea Sound Like? | |
| Black Road | Maggie Laine | |
| 2018 | My Dad's Gap Year | Cath |
| To Provide All People | Maternity Admin | |
| 2019 | Coronation Street at Christmas | Stella Price |
| Celebrity 5 Go Camping | Herself | |
| Soaps' Most Controversial Storylines | ||
| Madam Mayor | Denise | |
| 2020 | Coronation Street: Complications | Stella Price |
| The Winter's Tale – Rehearsed Reading | Hermione | |
| Dealer | Herself | |
| 2021 | When Soap Stars Go Horribly Wrong | |
| Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins | Mandy Williams | |
| 2022 | The Long Walk | Suzanne James |
| 2023 | My House | Sarah |
| Stephen | Max | |
| Children in Need | Cindy Beale | |
| Searching for Lily | Queenie | |
| 2024 | The Cancellation of Jim Davidson | Herself |
| A Gangster's Kiss | Sadie |
| 1984 | Scene | Ria | Episode: "Good Neighbours" |
| Morgan's Boy | Carol | Episode: "Series 1, episode 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 | Full House | Abby | Episode: "The First Day of School" |
| 1987, 1989 | Running Wild | Stephanie Wild | 13 episodes |
| 1988 | Family Ties | Louise | Episode: "Sign of the Times" |
| Screen Two | Daisy | Episode: "Lucky Sunil" | |
| 1988–1990, 1992–1998, 2023–present | EastEnders | Cindy Beale | Regular role |
| 1990 | Style Trial | Herself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 8" |
| Wogan | Episode: "Series 10, episode 90" | ||
| Juke Box Jury | Episode: "Series 4, episode 1" | ||
| 1990–1991 | The Word | 4 episodes | |
| 1991 | Star Test | Episode: "Michelle Collins" | |
| Cluedo | Episode: "A Traveller's Tale" | ||
| Gone to the Dogs | Episode: "Series 1, episode 4" | ||
| Motormouth | Episode: "Series 4, episode 18" | ||
| Gabriel's Fire | Young Girl | Episode: "Birds Gotta Fly" | |
| 1992 | TV Squash | Herself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 4" |
| Telly Addicts | Episode: "Series 8, episode 17" | ||
| Baywatch | Episode: "Big Monday" | ||
| 1993 | The Main Event | Episode: "Series 1, episode 4" | |
| The Music Game | Episode: "Series 2, episode 3" | ||
| The Talking Show | Episode: "Body Language and Final Touches" | ||
| 1993, 1995–1996 | That's Showbusiness | 4 episodes | |
| 1993 | Blossom | Jennie | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | What's Up Doc? | Herself | Episode: "Series 3, episode 32" |
| Steve Wright's People Show | Episode: "Series 2, episode 3" | ||
| Dear Dilemma | Episode: "Series 1, episode 5" | ||
| 1996–1997 | You Bet! | 2 episodes | |
| 1996 | Champs | Stacy | Episode: "Home Alone" |
| 1997 | The Big Breakfast | Herself | Episode: "20 August 1997" |
| Light Lunch | Episode: "Cor Blimey, Luv a Duck, Ain't the Queen Mum Got a Lovely Smile?" | ||
| 1997, 1999–2000 | Live & Kicking | 3 episodes | |
| 1998 | The National Lottery Big Ticket | Episode: "Series 1, episode 8" | |
| Ruby | Episode: "Series 2, episode 2" | ||
| Blankety Blank | 2 episodes | ||
| Holiday Heaven | Episode: "Series 1, episode 6" | ||
| 1998–2000 | TFI Friday | 3 episodes | |
| 1998, 2004 | GMTV | 2 episodes | |
| 1998 | Verdict | Camille Backhouse | Episode: "Neighbours from Hell" |
| 1998–1999 | Real Women | Susie Ball | 7 episodes |
| 1999 | Late Lunch | Herself | Episode: "Series 2, episode 11" |
| The National Lottery | Episode: "13 February 1999" | ||
| 1999 | The British Soap Awards | Episode: "1999" | |
| 1999 | Stars in Their Eyes | Episode: "1999 Celebrity Special" | |
| Chrissie Hynde | Episode: "1999 Celebrity Special" | ||
| 1999–2000, 2002 | This Is Your Life | Herself | 3 episodes |
| 1999, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2013–2014, 2016–2017, 2019 | This Morning | 10 episodes | |
| 1999–2000 | Sunburn | Nicki Matthews | 14 episodes |
| Daylight Robbery | Kathy Lawrence | 8 episodes | |
| 2000 | The Priory | Herself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 13" |
| 2000, 2005–2011, 2013–2014, 2016, 2022 | Loose Women | 17 episodes | |
| 2000 | Up Rising | Maxine Gaines | 5 episodes |
| The Sleeper | Diana Wakeham | 2 episodes | |
| 2001 | Top Ten | Herself | Episode: "TV Bitches" |
| It's Only TV... But I Like It | Episode: "Series 3, episode 8" | ||
| The Brian Conley Show | Episode: "Series 2, episode 4" | ||
| 2001–2003 | Two Thousand Acres of Sky | Abby Wallace | 22 episodes |
| 2002 | Johnny Vaughan Tonight | Herself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 13" |
| Pride of Britain Awards | Episode: "2002" | ||
| Parkinson | Episode: "4 May 2002" | ||
| 2003 | Loose Lips | Episode: "22 October 2003" | |
| The Illustrated Mum | Marigold Westward | Television film | |
| 2003, 2006 | Today with Des and Mel | Herself | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | Single | Sarah Barton | 6 episodes |
| 2004, 2006, 2009 | The Paul O'Grady Show | Herself | 4 episodes |
| 2004 | Sea of Souls | Katie Quinn | 2 episodes |
| French and Saunders | Regan Lear | Episode: "Series 6, episode 4" | |
| 2005 | Big Brother's Efourum | Herself | Episode: "Series 2, episode 12" |
| Totally Scott-Lee | Episode: "Series 1, episode 2" | ||
| The Last Detective | Maureen Fallon | Episode: "Willesden Confidential" | |
| 2006 | Davina | Herself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 5" |
| Loose @ 5.30 | Episode: "Series 1, episode 2" | ||
| Daily Politics | Episode: "21 June 2006" | ||
| The F Word | Episode: "Series 2, episode 6" | ||
| 2007 | Comedy Connections | Nicki Matthews | Episode: "Don't Wait Up" |
| 2007, 2009 | EastEnders Revealed | Cindy Beale | 2 episodes |
| 2007 | Doctor Who Confidential | Herself | Episode: "Space Craft" |
| Come Dine with Me | Episode: "Celebrity Special: All In One" | ||
| Doctor Who | Kath McDonnell | Episode: "42" | |
| 2008 | All Star Family Fortunes | Herself | Episode: "Christopher Biggins vs Michelle Collins" |
| Strictly Come Dancing | 2 episodes | ||
| Celebrity Ding Dong | Episode: "Series 2, episode 6" | ||
| 2008, 2011 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | 2 episodes | |
| 2008 | Rock Rivals | Karina Faith | 8 episodes |
| 2009 | Revealed | Herself | Episode: "Jack the Ripper: Tabloid Killer" |
| As Seen on TV | Episode: "Series 1, episode 3" | ||
| Doctor Who Greatest Moments | Episode: "The Enemies" | ||
| Live from Studio Five | Episode: "Series 1, episode 68" | ||
| 2009, 2014 | Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway | 2 episodes | |
| 2009, 2023–2024 | The One Show | 3 episodes | |
| 2009 | Hotel Babylon | Karen | Episode: "Series 4, episode 8" |
| 2010 | What Do Kids Know? | Herself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 8" |
| Undateable | Episode: "Hour 3" | ||
| Celebrity Pressure Cooker | Episode: "Series 1, episode 2" | ||
| The Michael Ball Show | Episode: "Series 1, episode 12" | ||
| The Alan Titchmarsh Show | Episode: "26 October 2010" | ||
| The Wright Stuff | Episode: "Series 14, episode 59" | ||
| 2010–2011 | Daybreak | 2 episodes | |
| 2010 | Marple | Treadwell | Episode: "The Secret of Chimneys" |
| 2010, 2014, 2019 | Casualty | Camille Lewis | 4 episodes |
| Samantha Kellman | 3 episodes | ||
| Lorna Rowle | Episode: "Series 34, episode 8" | ||
| 2011 | Cash in the Celebrity Attic | Herself | Episode: "Michelle Collins" |
| Paul O'Grady Live | Episode: "Series 2, episode 11" | ||
| Celebrity Chase | Episode: "Series 1, episode 2" | ||
| Celebrity Juice | 2 episodes | ||
| 2011, 2014 | Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel | ||
| 2011–2014 | Coronation Street | Stella Price | Regular role, 447 episodes |
| 2012 | Innuendo Bingo | Episode: "Chris and Rhianna" | |
| 12 Again | Herself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 12" | |
| 2013 | You Saw Them Here First | Episode: "Series 1, episode 1" | |
| Show Me the Telly | 7 episodes | ||
| Catchphrase | Episode: "Christmas Special: Michael Ball, Michelle Collins and Carol Vorderman" | ||
| 2014 | Weekend | Episode: "Series 1, episode 1" | |
| 2015 | The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore | Episode: "Ben Carson's Gun Policy & the Right to Die" | |
| Countdown | 5 episodes | ||
| Death in Paradise | Annette Burgess | Episode: "She Was Murdered Twice" | |
| Doctor Who: The Novel Adaptations | Winnie Tyler | Episode: "Damaged Goods" | |
| SunTrap | Coco | Episode: "Casino" | |
| 2016 | Herself | 5 episodes | |
| Midsomer Murders | Nadine Campbell | Episode: "The Incident at Cooper Hill" | |
| 2017 | Partners in Rhyme | Herself | Episode: "...At Christmas Time" |
| 2017, 2019–2020 | Lorraine | 4 episodes | |
| 2017 | Sparebnb | Jill | Episode: "Derek" |
| The Mayoress | Denise | Episode: "Series 1, episode 1" | |
| 2018 | The Dumping Ground | Fiona | 4 episodes |
| 2019 | Jeremy Vine | Herself | 2 episodes |
| Good Morning Britain | Episode: "19 September 2019" | ||
| 2019, 2021, 2024 | Pointless Celebrities | 3 episodes | |
| 2019 | Queens of Mystery | Electra Bliss | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | Cindy Beale | ||
| Isolation Interviews | Herself | Episode: "Michelle Collins" | |
| The Drew Barrymore Show | 2 episodes | ||
| Sky News at Ten | Episode: "11 December 2020" | ||
| Sky News Today | |||
| The News Hour with Mark Austin | |||
| Sky News Tonight | |||
| Sky News at 9 | |||
| Sky Midnight News | Episode: "12 December 2020" | ||
| Sky World News | |||
| 2021 | Celebrity Masterchef | Episode: "Series 16, episode 10" | |
| Richard Osman's House of Games | 5 episodes | ||
| The Weakest Link | Episode: "Series 1, episode 5" | ||
| 2021–2022 | Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen | 2 episodes | |
| 2022 | Garraway's Good Stuff | Episode: "Series 1, episode 10" | |
| The Viall Files | Episode: "Going Deeper – Love Is Blind Recap with Michelle Collins" | ||
| 2023 | Today | Episode: "14 April 2023" | |
| BBC Breakfast | Episode: "24 August 2023" | ||
| 2023–2024 | The National Television Awards | 2 episodes | |
| 2024 | After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson | Episode: "Season 2, episode 18, 3 Oct 2024"
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| 2025 | Herself | Interviewed Guest |
| 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 | 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 |
| 2013 | British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Coronation Street | ||
| 2023 | I Talk Telly Awards | Best Soap Partnership (with Adam Woodyatt) | EastEnders | ||
| 2024 | National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | EastEnders | ||
| 2024 | National Film Awards UK | Best Actress in a TV Series | EastEnders | ||
| 2024 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actress | EastEnders | ||
| 2025 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actress | EastEnders |
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