EastEnders legends Michelle Collins and Adam Woodyatt plan to keep the drama on screen after reuniting.
The pair are back on the BBC soap as warring couple Ian and Cindy Beale after more than 25 years.
Michelle made a sensational comeback as Cindy last night (June 20) and we can reveal Adam will return as Ian in a twist tonight (June 21).
When previously on the show they used to bicker even when the cameras stopped rolling, but this time they’re getting on better than ever.
Michelle, 61, says: “It’s exciting to work with Adam again. It really is. In the old days, we would row while coming out of our dressing rooms, we would row going to the set and we’d row coming off the set.
“We spent our whole lives squabbling. It was bizarre.
“But now, both of us have mellowed. I think we’re both a bit more comfortable in our own lives.”
Adam, 54, says it’s a joy to be working with Michelle this time round.
He jokes: “Working with Michelle has been like putting on an old pair of slippers… no offence!”
Nervously, he adds: “She’s going to kill me for saying that.”
(Image: BBC / Jack Barnes)
Adam has had three years away from Albert Square. But for Michelle it has been more than a quarter of a century.
The star agreed to make a comeback over a breakfast meeting with show bosses.
She admits: “If this had happened five years ago, I probably would have said ‘no’. Things are all about timing.
“When I was asked to talk about returning, I said to my agent: ‘Obviously, it’s ridiculous’.
“But then we had a meeting and I was like, ‘This could actually work’.
“It’s kind of scary, but that’s what life is about, isn’t it? It’s about just embracing things and seeing what happens.
“It’s surreal, it’s nerve-wracking, but it’s also very exciting.”
Bosses went all out to keep their return of under wraps.
They used code names during filming and even got them to wear hoods to avoid getting photographed at the set but keeping quiet was tough for Michelle.
She admits: “It was the hardest thing not being able to tell anybody. For 26 years I’ve had people asking me, ‘When are you going back to EastEnders? We love Cindy.’
“And suddenly it was actually happening.”
The action continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
