AN EastEnders legend is taking a break from Albert Square following their character’s role in a huge storyline.
Fans were stunned when Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) made a shock return two years ago – despite being believed to have “died” in 1998.
Michelle, 62, is making her Edinburgh Fringe Festival debut in dark comedy Motorhome Marilyn, by Ben Weatherill.
A source revealed to The Sun: “Michelle is taking an extended break from EastEnders while she stars in the play.
“She will be off screens for months but BBC bosses know it’s important to let their biggest stars do other projects so they remain on the show long-term.
“Bosses will have big plans for Cindy when she does return to Albert Square.”
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Discussing her upcoming role, Michelle said: “I am thrilled to be making my Edinburgh Fringe Festival debut with Motorhome Marilyn, a wonderful new play which is dark, funny and so close to my heart.
“When I encountered the show’s real-life namesake out in LA, I couldn’t have imagined that journey would lead me to this point.
“However, thanks to Ben’s, and my late friend Stuart’s, wonderful writing, I can’t wait to share this story with Edinburgh audiences this summer.”
The 1980s-set plot follows Denise – played by Michelle – an aspiring actress who has an obsessive relationship with Marilyn Monroe.
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Denise heads to Hollywood, hoping to live up to the icon’s fame and beauty.
But she is forced to confront the painful truth of unfulfilled dreams and desires.
Inspired by Michelle’s real-life encounter with a woman named Motorhome Marilyn, the play explores themes such as aging and failed dreams.
The show will play at Doonstairs, Gilded Balloon Patter House, from 30 July to 25 August (with the exception of August 13).
Elsewhere, Cindy Beale embarked on a months-long affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) last year.
The businesswoman more recently tried to blackmail Ian (Adam Woodyatt) into handing over half their money otherwise she would report his mum Kathy for trying to kill her at Christmas.
She backed down after Ian countered with her pushing him in front of a car and causing Reiss to crash into the Vic.
Taking the money under agreement that she leaves – she said a cool goodbye to her family.
Junior chased her to the tube station and asked her: “I don’t understand why you’re letting Ian get away with it.”
“Oh no-one’s getting away with anything,” Cindy told him.
“I’m just happy for them to think they have, for now,” she added.
Best soap affair love triangles
LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?
EASTENDERS
Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.
Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.
Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.
Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.
Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.
A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.
CORONATION STREET
Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.
He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.
But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.
Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.
When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.
Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.
Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.
But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.
EMMERDALE
Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.
She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.
Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.
Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.
However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.
With that she swanned into the tube station to leave Walford for a spell while she plots her revenge.
A viewer wrote: “I might be in the minority but I’m very much looking forward to the chaotic hijinks Ar Cinders will bring with her when she returns.”
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While another shared: “The break will do her a world of good. Now that she won’t be going around accusing everyone, hopefully she’ll be back to her best upon return.”
EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer.
