EastEnders star confirms exit from soap as she takes on ‘strange' new role
However, fans will be pleased to know the 63-year-old will only be gone for a month as she takes on a "strange" new role.
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Her character Cindy Beale - who took on a prominent role in the show's 40th anniversary episodes - will exit Walford in the coming weeks.
Michelle told the Mirror at the British Soap Awards 2025: "Well I'm going off in the summer.
"I'm doing my one woman show at the Edinburgh festival, called Motorhome Marilyn.
"I don't think she's anything like Cindy. It's a play about a woman impersonator lookalike who lives in a trailer and dresses as Marilyn Monroe. But she's 60, it's kind of strange.
"It's about failure, lost dreams, and feeling like life has passed you by. She's an interesting character. I'm really excited to play it. EastEnders have let me have a month off so I'm very excited."
Michelle has kept tight-lipped about how EastEnders writers will tell Cindy's exit storyline.
Instead, she insisted Cindy is focusing on her business and won't be getting involved in a new love interest anytime soon.
However, Michelle told fans there's "fun stuff" coming up with Elaine and Cindy with George.
The actress looked incredible at the soap awards this week, which she attended with co-star Adam Woodyatt.
Michelle put on a classy display in a classic black gown and teamed it up with a leather handbag.
EastEnders' Michelle Collins admits she was in the dark about Angie Watts' shock return & confirms why Cindy ISN'T in live episode
The soap star joined EastEnders as Cindy Beale in 1988 for a two-year stint.
She returned in 1992 for six years before taking a longer break.
Michelle then made an expected return in 2023 after being on Coronation Street.
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