Michelle Collins: EastEnders’ Cindy Beale star told NOT to do Strictly for unusual reason

Michelle Collins has revealed how she was warned off BBC competition Strictly Come Dancing by her agent. The hit dancing show, which recently launched its 2019 run, regularly pulls in more than 10 million viewers at the weekends. However, the former EastEnders favourite was urged not to sign up, something she seemingly has no regrets about. The Cindy Beale actress said she likes her “privacy” and didn’t want to be labelled a “mature woman”.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, Michelle gave her thoughts on taking part in various reality television favourites, saying one almost killed her.

When asked directly about Strictly, the small screen favourite stated: “I was going to do it a few years ago but I had a new agent who told me not to do it.

“I’m not sure I want to be put in the ‘mature woman’ bracket, and the thought of being in everyone’s living rooms frightens me.”

“I like my privacy now,” she continued. “I don’t think I’d stand a chance of winning and I’d only do it to win – I’m pretty competitive.

“If I was out the first week, I would die of embarrassment! I’ll be watching my daughter from Corrie, Cath Tyldesley, though.”

She went on to discuss ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, which is expected to return later this year.

It sees a group of famous faces live in the Australian jungle, often on minimal food and having to undergo grim challenges to secure meals for camp.

On if she’d do it, Michelle exclaimed: “God no. I did Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and it’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

“I nearly died every week. It was an amazing challenge but I won’t do anything like that again.”

The ex Coronation Street regular is currently busy in HOW LOVE IS SPELT at London’s Southwark Playhouse.

She is playing Peta opposite Line Of Duty’s Nigel Boyle, and directed by Charlotte Peters in the show that runs until September 28.

Meanwhile, it comes just months after Michelle reportedly said she was frustrated by the soap actress label.

She played Cindy on and off between 1988 and 1998, until her alter ego was killed off-screen.

The star later portrayed Stella Price in Corrie from 2011 to 2014.

According to DigitalSpy, Michelle wrote in a now-deleted tweet: “I wish people would not label me a soap actress it’s very frustrating indeed.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 returns to BBC One on Saturday at 7pm.

source: express.co.uk