Michelle Collins
Michelle Collins | |
---|---|
![]() Collins in 2006 | |
Born | Michelle Danielle Collins 28 May 1962 Homerton, London, England |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1984–present |
Television | EastEnders (1988–1990, 1992–1998, 2023–present) Coronation Street (2011–2014) |
Spouse |
Mike Davidson (m. 2022) |
Children | Maia-Rose Tassalini Collins |
Michelle Danielle Collins (born 28 May 1962) is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Cindy Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, and has also appeared as Stella Price in ITV's Coronation Street. Her other notable TV roles include the BBC dramas Real Women (1998–1999), Sunburn (1999–2000) and Two Thousand Acres of Sky (2001–2003).
Early life and education
[edit]Collins was born on 28 May 1962 at Hackney Hospital, Homerton High Street in Hackney, east London, to a Welsh mother, Mary, and a father of English and Flemish heritage.[1][2] Her Flemish grandfather was Belgian from Antwerp and had emigrated to the UK in 1915 when aged five.[3] She, alongside her elder sister Vicki, were brought up by their mother in Highbury, London.[1][4] When Collins was 14, her mother went back to university to obtain a law degree.[5] In the 1970s, Collins was a member of the youth organisation the Woodcraft Folk, and visited Romania with the group.[6]
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.[7]
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]After her exams, Collins landed a role in Mikhail Bulgakov's The Crimson Island, directed by Lou Stein, at the Gate Theatre. Her career changed direction after performing in the 1978 video for the Squeeze song "Cool For Cats", and as a backing singer for Mari Wilson and the Wilsations. The band spent 18 months touring the country.[8] When the band broke up in 1982, she went back into acting and with the help of her friend, the British actor Tim Roth, she gained a part in a musical with Gary Hutton and Gary Shail.[9]
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.[10]
EastEnders
[edit]While she was filming the BBC play Pressures in 1988, Collins was spotted by EastEnders producer Julia Smith, who asked her to audition for the role of Cindy Beale, who was to feature in 11 episodes of the soap. The manipulative, reckless nature of her character was a hit with viewers so her contract was extended and the character became a major villain in the series. Cindy was the unfaithful wife of EastEnders stalwart Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), between 1988 and 1998. During breaks from EastEnders she filmed the drama Real Women for the BBC, with Pauline Quirke and Frances Barber. On 14 November 2014, Collins reprised the role of Cindy for a short stint for Children in Need.[11]
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.[12] 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 (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford).[13]
After EastEnders
[edit]After leaving EastEnders in 1998, her career saw a series of drama roles. These included: two series of Real Women (BBC One); two series of Sunburn (BBC One), for which Collins sang the theme song (which was a no. 28 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1999);[14] Daylight Robbery (ITV); The Sleeper (BBC One); Uprising (ITV): three series of Two Thousand Acres of Sky (BBC One):[15] the two-part series Perfect (ITV); Lloyd and the Hill (ITV) and Ella and the Mothers (BBC One). In 2003, Collins played Sarah Barton in Single.[16]
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 BAFTAs.[17]
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.[18] 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".[19]
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.[20] 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.[21][22][23]
In June 2010, it was announced that Collins would make a six-episode guest appearance as a patient's mother in Casualty.[24] 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.[25]
Coronation Street
[edit]"I am honoured to be joining the cast of Coronation Street. The show has been part of my life since I was a child, so to become a part of it is extremely exciting."
In January 2011, a rumour was posted on Digital Spy that Collins was in talks to join EastEnders' main rivalling soap Coronation Street, after she allegedly met with soap's producer and close friend Phil Collinson.[26] Three months later it was confirmed Collins had joined the cast as Stella Price, new landlady of the Rovers Return pub, beating Lisa Maxwell for the role.[27] Her first episode aired on 16 June 2011 and gained a rating of 8.4 million.[28] It was announced on 22 August 2013 Collins had decided to leave Coronation Street.[29] In January 2014, Collins claimed she was "unhappy" over the lack of screen time for her and her character. Collins filmed her final scenes on 19 February 2014, and made her final appearance as Stella on 2 April 2014.[30]
After Coronation Street
[edit]Since leaving Coronation Street, Collins has had various guest roles in television dramas: Casualty as Samantha Kellman (2014), Death in Paradise as Annette Burgess (2015), and Midsomer Murders as Nadine Campbell (2016). In October 2019 Collins appeared in Casualty as Lorna Rowle/Hammond.[31] In 2016, Collins took part in the ITV reality series Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.[32]
Personal life
[edit]Collins has a daughter by ex-partner Fabrizio Tassalini, Maia Rose (b. 29 September 1996).[33]
In 2014, Collins revealed that in 1998 – distraught by the end of her relationship with Tassalini and feeling career pressure – she attempted suicide while filming Sunburn in Cyprus. She took an overdose of sleeping pills but later woke up and asked her costar to take her to hospital.[34]
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.[5] In April 2022 Collins announced she was engaged to her partner of 10 years, Mike Davidson. They married in August that year.[35]
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.[36]
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.[37] She is also an ambassador for Ambitious about Autism and a patron for the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation.[38][39]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Note(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | Empire State | Emma | |
Personal Services | June | ||
Hidden City | Applicant at Hairdressing Salon | ||
1993 | Shattered Family | Julie | |
1996 | Darkman III: Die Darkman Die | Nurse | |
2000 | The Sleeper | Diana Wakeham | |
2001 | Lloyd & Hill | DI Judy Hill | |
2003 | The Night We Called It a Day | Mrs. Appleby | |
The Illustrated Mum | Marigold Westward | ||
2004 | Bubblegum | Jenny | Short film |
2007 | Don't Stop Dreaming | Jessica | |
Broken | Janet | Short film | |
2008 | Play | Mother | |
Getting Out | Chelle | ||
2013 | Shades | The Actress | |
2017 | Black Road | Maggie Laine | |
2021 | Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins | Mandy Williams | |
2022 | The Long Walk | Suzanne James | Short film |
2023 | My House | Sarah | |
2023 | Melodrive | Nora | Indie Film - OJ Productions |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Note(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1984 | Scene | Ria | Episode: "Good Neighbours" |
Morgan's Boy | Carol | Episode: #1.1 | |
1985 | Marjorie and Men | Debbie | 2 episodes |
Bergerac | Trace | Episode: "Chrissie" | |
1986 | The Bill | Sharon Brand | Episode: "Loan Shark" |
Gems | Pru Murphy | 10 episodes | |
1987–1989 | Running Wild | Stephanie Wild | All 13 episodes |
1987 | Full House | Abby | Episode: "The First Day of School" |
1988 | Screen Two | Daisy | Episode: "Lucky Sunil" |
1988–1990, 1992–1998, 2023–present |
EastEnders | Cindy Beale | Series regular |
1998 | Verdict (TV Series) | Camille Backhouse | 1 Episode |
1999–2000 | Sunburn | Nicki Matthews | Main role; 14 episodes |
Daylight Robbery | Kathy Lawrence | Main role | |
2001–2003 | Two Thousand Acres of Sky | Abby Wallace | Main role |
2002 | Ella and the Mothers | Gina | Main role |
2003 | The Illustrated Mum | Marigold Westward | Main role |
Lloyd & Hill | DI Judy Hill | TV film | |
2004 | French and Saunders | Regan Lear | Episode #6.4 |
Sea of Souls | Katie Quinn | 2 episodes | |
2005 | The Last Detective | Maureen Fallon | Episode: "Willesden Confidential" |
2006 | The Family Man | Gillian | TV film |
2007 | Doctor Who | Kath McDonnell | Episode: "42" |
2008 | Rock Rivals | Karina Faith | 8 episodes |
2009 | Hotel Babylon | Karen | Episode: #4.8 |
2010 | Agatha Christie's Marple | Treadwell | Episode: “The Secret of Chimneys” |
Casualty | Camille Lewis | 4 episodes | |
2011–2014 | Coronation Street | Stella Price | Series regular; 447 episodes |
2014 | Casualty | Samantha Kellman | 3 episodes |
Children in Need | Cindy Beale | EastEnders special | |
2015 | Death in Paradise | Annette Burgess | Episode: “She Was Murdered Twice” |
Suntrap | Coco | Episode: “Casino” | |
2016 | Midsomer Murders | Nadine Campbell | Episode: “The Incident at Cooper Hill” |
2018 | The Dumping Ground | Fiona Johnson | 4 episodes |
2019 | Queens of Mystery | Electra Bliss | 2 episodes "Death by Vinyl" |
Casualty | Lorna Rowle | Episode: #34.8 |
Guest appearances
[edit]- Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes (9 October 1999) – Contestant, as Chrissie Hynde
- The Paul O'Grady Show (1 December 2004, 30 March 2006, 25 November 2009) – Guest
- All Star Family Fortunes (13 September 2008) – Contestant
- As Seen on TV (30 July 2009) – Guest
- What Do Kids Know? (31 January 2010) – Guest team captain
- Loose Women (2010) – Panellist
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show (26 October 2010) – Guest
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (August 2011) – Contestant with William Roache
- Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel (30 August 2011, 16 July 2014) – Guest
- Celebrity Juice (13 October 2011) – Panellist
- The Chase: Celebrity Special (5 November 2011) – Contestant
- Paddy's 2011 Show and Telly (29 December 2011) – Contestant with Melanie Sykes
- 12 Again (7 June 2012) – Guest
- Show Me the Telly (26, 29 November 3, 5, 9, 12, 19 December 2013) – Panellist
- Catchphrase: Christmas Special (29 December 2013) – Contestant
- Weekend (26 April 2014) – Guest
- Saturday Kitchen (3 May 2014) – Guest
- This Morning (10 July 2015) – Guest
- Pointless (28 December 2019) - Contestant
- The Weakest Link (30 December 2021) - Contestant
- Garraway's Good Stuff (19 June 2022) - Guest
- Pointless Celebrities (16th March 2024) - Contestant[40]
Stage
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Note(s) |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Wicked 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 |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Ceremony | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | 2013 British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Coronation Street | Nominated | [41] |
2023 | I Talk Telly Awards | Best Soap Partnership (with Adam Woodyatt) | EastEnders | Nominated | [42] |
2024 | 29th National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | EastEnders | Pending | [43] |
2024 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actress | EastEnders | Pending | [44] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Collins, Michelle (2014). This Is Me. Michael O'Mara Books. p. 9. ISBN 978-1782432326.
- ^ "BBC One – Coming Home, Series 4, Michelle Collins". BBC. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ Lambert, Victoria (10 October 2016). "Michelle Collins: 'I signed up to be an actress, not a celebrity'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- ^ "Life after Cindy". WalesOnline. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Exclusive Michelle Collins on Her Looks, The Toyboy, Pole-Dancing, Yoga.. And Why She Stopped Watching X Factor". Daily Mirror. 9 March 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ Lam, Sophie (15 March 2008). "My Life in Travel: Michelle Collins". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
- ^ Charalambous, Anthi (6 June 1999). "How We Met: Michelle Collins & Aldo Zilli". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ "Interview: Michelle Collins on a thoroughly modern career | The Scotsman".
- ^ "Michelle Collins: I love acting, but I need more". Glasgow Times. 23 February 2017.
- ^ Quinn, Angie (22 June 2023). "Michelle Collins' life from forgotten Corrie role to husband 22 years younger". MyLondon.
- ^ Liz Cookman (7 November 2014). "Why it's time to stop bringing old EastEnders characters back". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ "EastEnders spoilers: Cindy Beale returns from the dead in massive shocking twist". Metro. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "EastEnders: Michelle Collins returns as Cindy Beale after 25 years". BBC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, UK: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 115. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "BBC Drama – Two Thousand Acres of Sky – Michelle Collins". BBC. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ Cousens, Claire (3 November 2003). "ITV drama hopes dashed". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "The Illustrated Mum - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
- ^ "Can't Buy Me Love - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
- ^ "Collins cast". BBC Doctor Who website. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
- ^ "Michelle Collins lands 'Rock Rivals' role", Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Staff (27 March 2014). "Michelle Collins to Guest Star". Holby.tv. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
- ^ Hickling, Alfred (11 April 2011). "The Demolition Man – review". The Guardian.
- ^ Daniels, Colin (23 January 2011). "Michelle Collins for 'Coronation Street'?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ "Michelle Collins joins Coronation Street". BBC News. 15 April 2011.
- ^ Laughlin, Andrew (17 June 2011). "Michelle Collins's 'Coronation Street' debut nabs 8.4m". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ "Michelle Collins to leave Coronation Street". BBC News. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- ^ Michelle Collins (2 April 2014). "T'rah Stella! Michelle Collins waves goodbye to Coronation Street and opens up on life after the cobbles". Metro. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ "BBC Richard Osman's House of Games: Michelle Collins' 22 year age gap with younger boyfriend who she was introduced to by her niece". My London. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Michelle Collins is left hanging on Mission Survive". Digital Spy. 24 March 2016.
- ^ Michelle Collins (2014). This Is Me. Michael O'Mara Books. p. 112. ISBN 978-1782432326.
- ^ Doug Wight (30 March 2014). "Michelle Collins tells of suicide bid: I took pills and decided no one would miss me". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ McCartney, Gemma (15 August 2022). "Michelle Collins' wedding pics from rule-breaking reception to barefoot dancing". OK! Magazine.
- ^ "Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories". The Guardian. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
- ^ "Countries we work in | Oxfam GB". Oxfam.org.uk. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ "Ambassadors". Ambitious about Autism. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ "Patrons". Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013.
- ^ Dankwa, Abigail (16 March 2024), Episode #16.16, Pointless Celebrities, Alexander Armstrong, Richard Osman, Desiree Burch, retrieved 17 April 2024
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (11 March 2013). "British Soap Awards 2013 voting opens, nominations revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ Gonzalez, Elliot (11 November 2023). "Nominations revealed for the I Talk Telly Awards 2023 as voting opens". I Talk Telly.
- ^ Hibbs, James (21 May 2024). "NTAs 2024 longlist revealed – Mr Bates, Death in Paradise and more". Radio Times. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ Harp, Justin (16 July 2024). "Emmerdale's Tom and Belle story and EastEnders' Six drama among Inside Soap Award nominees". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
Published works
[edit]- Michelle Collins (2014). This Is Me. Michael O'Mara. ISBN 978-1782432326.
External links
[edit]- 1962 births
- Living people
- Actresses from London
- Actors from the London Borough of Hackney
- English people of Welsh descent
- British people of Belgian-Jewish descent
- English television actresses
- English soap opera actresses
- 20th-century English actresses
- 21st-century English actresses
- People associated with the Woodcraft Folk
- English people of Flemish descent
- Actors from the London Borough of Islington
- People from Highbury