Tonight soap legend, Michelle Collins, made her comeback to EastEnders reprising her role as the legendary Cindy Beale, 25 years after her character died off-screen as she was revealed as Rose Knight, George Knight’s (Colin Salmon) long lost wife.

To this day, Cindy remains one of soaps most iconic characters. Famous for her scheming and manipulative behaviour which saw her at the heart of some of EastEnders most memorable storylines, Cindy will return alongside EastEnders’ longest standing cast member and former husband, Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt, but just how and why is all to be revealed tomorrow night (Thursday 22nd June)

During her previous stints in the show between 1988 and 1998, Cindy was never far away from scandal having had countless affairs during her tumultuous relationship with Ian, resulting in the attempt of his murder following their bitter custody battle. Cindy last appeared on screen in 1998, and viewers were led to believe that she had died off-screen whilst giving birth to namesake daughter, leaving her children Steven, Lucy and Peter behind.

Ian left Walford in 2021 after his former best-friend and then wife, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), tried to poison him alongside Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) as recompense for his involvement in Denny’s death. However viewers got a surprise when Ian secretly turned up at Dot’s funeral but were left with more questions when he made a mysterious call and it now transpires this was to Cindy.

Whilst the circumstances relating to her ‘death’, reappearance, and reunion with ex-husband Ian are yet to be revealed, their explosive return is sure to send shockwaves around the Square not least for the Knights who have no idea just where ‘Rose’ has been all these years...

Speaking on her return, Michelle Collins says: “For over 25 years I’ve constantly been asked ‘are you going back’ and now finally I can say I am! It’s an honour to be asked to reprise the role of Cindy Beale, a character that has really never left me, and just like the old days, where Cindy goes, drama usually follows”

Adam Woodyatt adds: “It’s weird saying Ian’s back as it never really felt like he was gone, Ian still existed just not in Walford. Now that he is back, he needs to avoid Sharon cooking carbonara and his mum getting him cufflinks for Christmas!”

Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer adds: “It’s an honour to not simply welcome back just one EastEnders icon in the name of Adam Woodyatt, but to welcome Michelle Collins back to Walford to reprise her role as the legendary Cindy Beale after twenty-five years is somewhat surreal. Cindy’s been sorely missed from our screens, and we’re delighted that she’ll be returning to Walford, alongside Ian, permanently later this year. Now everyone knows that she is in fact Rose Knight, secrets are set to be revealed as viewers will learn about the circumstances surrounding their return, including the million dollar question - how is Cindy alive when she was declared dead in 1998 – and later this summer Ian and Cindy’s comeback will be nothing less than explosive for the Square.”