By James Simons–
An EastEnders star has been axed from the show , despite the fact his final scenes have already been filmed. After enjoying a saucy affair with his dad’s ex-wife, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who has hardly been a part of the programme, and will now be axed from the well loved television soap opera.
The departure is said to be due to changes being brought in by Ben Wadey, who became executive producer in February.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
Michelle Collins was known for her manipulative and scheming personality. She was introduced in 1988 and became known as the unfaithful first wife of businessman Ian Beale. Their marriage ended after she hired a hitman to kill him during a custody battle for their children. Though Ian survived, Cindy was eventually arrested.
While in prison, Cindy was reported to have died in childbirth. The daughter she gave birth to was named Cindy Williams Jr. by Ian in her memory.
It was revealed that Cindy had faked her death. Instead of dying, she had entered a witness protection program after informing on a dangerous cellmate.
Life in Witness Protection: Under the name “Rose Knight,” she remarried and had two more daughters, Gina and Anna. After her cover was compromised, she fled, abandoning her new family.
Return to Walford: With her time in witness protection over, Cindy returned to Albert Square in 2023 with Ian and their son Peter, bringing a new wave of drama and confronting her estranged daughters and ex-husband, George Knight.
During the 2024 Christmas episode, an affair was exposed and Cindy was attacked and left for dead. She recovered but was severely injured in the subsequent Queen Vic fire she caused during an attempt to harm Ian.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
It comes after it was revealed that Molly Rainford, the actress who plays Micah’s on-screen half-sister Anna, was leaving the soap.
Rainford shared a message for Strictly Come Dancing viewers after she found herself in the bottom two again.
Saturday’s results show (3 December) saw Kym Marsh eliminated from the competition after a dance-off with Rainford.
It was the fourth time in the series that Rainford, 22, and her professional partner Carlos Gu, 28, have found themselves in the bottom two.
Many fans were frustrated on Rainford’s behalf, writing on Twitter that she does not deserve to have competed in the dance-off so many times.
Following Saturday’s elimination (3 December), Rainford posted a message to fans on Twitter on Sunday morning (4 December).
“I’m feeling so blessed to still be in this competition,” she wrote.
“Thank you to everyone who did vote and support us, I couldn’t be more grateful & thank you to the judges for keeping my @bbcstrictly dream alive for another week.”
The departure is said to be due to changes being brought in by Ben Wadey, who became executive producer in February.
The source said: “The Knight family were created by former boss Chris Clenshaw, so it was only natural that Ben would want to make his own mark on the show.”
Before joining EastEnders in 2024, Micah Balfour starred in a number of other programmes, including rival soap opera Emmerdale.
He played the role of Dr Jermaine Bailey from 2015 to 2016 and even appeared in The Bill as PC Benjamin Gayle and Death in Paradise.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar