EASTENDERS icon Michelle Collins has clapped back at fans online after they called for her to be axed from the soap over “repetitive and recycled” storylines.
Michelle, who played Cindy Beale from 1988 to 1998, recently returned to the soap. Cindy reunited with her former husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) off-screen and returned to Walford with him last summer.
Many long-time soap fans were thrilled that Michelle had returned to EastEnders after 25 years away, during which time she was presumed to be dead.
However, some viewers have called for her to be axed yet again, as they believe her storylines are “boring” and repetitive.
Most recently, Cindy has gone back to her lying cheating ways, having an affair with Junior Knight (Micah Balfour), the son of her ex-husband George Knight (Colin Salmon).
One soap fan, who thinks this is just a repeat of Cindy’s behaviour in the ‘80s and ‘90s, is ready to see her go. They also admitted to preferring Ian’s other ex-wife Jane (Laurie Brett) over Cindy, as she made her dramatic return to Walford this week — but Michelle had something to say about that.
The soap fan wrote on X: “Cindy has to be bored to tears since she has returned, [it’s the] same old recycled stories and it’s so low stakes. Give me Jane ANY day of the week.”
Michelle was quick to clap back at the comments. However, she wasn’t offended that the viewer would prefer to see more storylines involving Jane and less of Cindy. In fact, she found it funny, even praised the fan for being so invested in the show.
“Loving your comments. You really love the show, don’t you?” Michelle wrote alongside a laughing emoji.
“Sorry, but it’s true,” the fan responded. “I think you are great, but the writing, not so much.
“I think the writing for [Cindy] has not changed since the late 80s and she deserves better,” they added.
The BBC has aired a huge week of drama on EastEnders following Jane’s return to Walford. The reappearance of Ian’s ex-wife has been a huge problem for Cindy.
EastEnders has aired a huge week of drama for the Beales as Jane (Laurie Brett) arrived back in Walford.
“There is a lot of drama, certainly, between these two women!” Laurie teased ahead of her return this week.
While Cindy may be embroiled in the same old drama — with her affair storyline — her meeting with Jane marks a huge first for the soap, and most fans are enjoying having her back in the Square.
Commenting on the week of drama, one fan gushed: “Michelle, your return is the BEST thing to happen to EastEnders in years, bringing all of us back to it who remember Cindy’s legendary stories back in the day. LOVED Cindy’s exchanges with Jane, some of it was hysterical, especially Cindy at her most b*tchy.”
THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
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“Cindy is the perfect character people love to hate! You’re playing her perfectly,” praised another.
While a third hopeful fan commented: “I’ve read that David Wicks (Michael French) is coming back and I hope there’s some Cindy and David action!”
EastEnders airs Monday to Friday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
