It's a comeback that's sending shockwaves through soapland as actress Michelle Collins get set to make her jaw-dropping return to Albert Square after a whopping 25-year hiatus.
EastEnders fans will remember the heart-wrenching storyline which saw Cindy's character supposedly meet her end in prison while giving birth.
But Cindy is very much alive and as she continues to stir up chaos with her on-again, off-again relationship with Ian Beale, the soap star has busy navigating a love life of her own, far away from Walford.
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From the tragic loss of her first love to an unexpected fairytale romance, Daily Star has explored the ups and down of Michelle's love life off-camera
Toyboy husband
The EastEnders actress, 60, tied the knot with her much younger hubby Mike Davidson, 38, last year.
Michelle has previously hit back at critics who feel the need to comment on the couple's 22-year age gap and said she was frustrated to be branded as a "cougar".
Michelle wrote: "I am so fed up with people obsessed with age. I don't care about it, it's others that care. Age is just a number.'
The actress also said to critics in 2018: "Mike is 22 years younger than me and I'm regarded as a predator. It drives me mad. People call him my toyboy beau. He's nearly 35, for God's sake.
"He turned to me the other day and said ‘Surely I'm not still your toyboy, am I?' I laugh about it now but it is annoying."
Michelle and Mike began dating in late 2012, after they were set up by Michelle’s niece, who is said to have worked for Mike at a retail store.
Soap star Michelle confirmed her engagement to Mike in April 2021 by sharing an image from a friend's account on her Instagram Stories.
Fairytale Wedding
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The pair’s low-key ceremony In August 2022 was attended by their closest family and friends, as well as Michelle's co-star Adam Woodyatt.
Michelle said the special day was “emotional” and “amazing” as she opted against a traditional wedding dress, instead choosing a white trouser suit.
After the service, the newlyweds conversed with guests outside the town hall while enjoying champagne.
They were later taken to their reception in a white convertible Volkswagen Beetle.
"Michael’s sister got us this convertible Beetle, because it was my first car and the car my mum had when we were little and used to take us to Cornwall,” Michelle explained.
"That meant a lot having that car."
Breaking from tradition, Michelle treated their 250 guests to flowing canapes instead of a formal sit-down meal.
An open bar with glasses of fizz and rosé welcomed the attendees. For their first dance, the couple chose Sugar by Maroon 5, though by then, Michelle had abandoned her heels.
She said: "I had to take my shoes off about 7pm because my feet were killing me and then I danced like a typical bride with no shoes on."
Tragic Loss
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, but in 1996 the pair split, remaining cordial to co-parent their little girl.
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.
"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 later love again with Mike.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm
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