SAY WHAT?
EastEnders fans in furious backlash as Ian and Cindy Beale’s return is revealed
EASTENDERS fans are furious after it was revealed that Ian and Cindy Beale would be returning to the soap.
The Sun exclusively reported how actress Michelle Collins would be making an Albert Square comeback - 25 years after her character was killed off.
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The character is apparently rising from the dead and will be joining screen husband Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt — back after a two-year absence.
A source told us: “It’s going to be a bombshell.”
But following our news, some fans weren't happy at the thought of ANOTHER character coming back from the dead.
Loyal viewers' will well remember this happened with Dirty Den (Lesley Grantham), after he shot dead, and then came back to life.
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Fans have now commented on Cindy's return with a backlash, with one saying: "Really!? Lucy and Steven are dead. Peter and Cindy Jr are abroad. What’s the point?"
While this one commented: "i don't think this is going to work! What is it with EE bringing people back from the dead!"
Another said: "I'd rather have Ronnie and Roxy. Personally!"
Scheming Cindy — played by Michelle Collins — died off-screen 25 years ago during childbirth while in jail for attempted murder.
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But she will be reunited with screen husband Ian, played by original cast member Adam Woodyatt.
Executives hope the sensational storyline will revive fortunes after a slump in viewing figures.
The pair have already started filming scenes and a source said: “This has been done so secretively but it’s going to be an absolute bombshell — an unbelievable twist.
“Ian and Cindy are one of the most memorable couples in soap history. But Cindy has been dead for 25 years — and nobody will see this coming.
“The biggest surprise is that Michelle has so often said there’s no chance she’d come back.”
Asked about a return in 2019, Michelle, 60, said: “It’s just too long now — apart from the fact I’m dead. If I went back to EastEnders, that would be it.
“I still haven’t shaken off Cindy after all these years.
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but it has always been there and I’ve done a lot of other work over the years.”
Michelle appeared in Coronation Street as pub landlady Stella Price from 2011-14, and in Casualty as events organiser Samantha Kellman in summer 2014.
She has also featured in Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders, and The Dumping Ground.
Adam, 54, has been absent from EastEnders for nearly two and a half years.
He took an extended break in January 2021, returning only once — for Dot Cotton’s funeral last December following the death of actress June Brown, 95.
Cindy first appeared in 1988 and dated barman Simon Wicks (played by Nick Berry) before starting a relationship with Ian and marrying him in 1989.
The marriage soon hit trouble and she had a fling with Richard Cole (Ian Reddington), who claimed to be the father of her and Ian’s twins — Lucy and Peter.
Cindy also had an affair with Simon’s half-brother David Wicks (Michael French).
She was written out in a plot which saw her hire a hitman to kill Ian, then change her mind too late.
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After Ian was shot and injured, she fled to Italy but was arrested for attempted murder and remanded in custody.
In November 1998 Ian was told Cindy had died while giving birth to a daughter, Cindy Williams.
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