Cindy Beale
Encyclopedia
Cindy Beale is a fictional character
from the BBC
soap opera
EastEnders
, played by Michelle Collins
.
Cindy always had an eye for the lotharios of Walford and despite trying to settle down repeatedly with the more reliable Ian Beale
, she was unable to remain faithful to him. She had a selfish streak, often more concerned about her own needs than her family's. She often lied and schemed, particularly where men were concerned.
in May 1988, working on her mother's market stall selling hats. She dates barman Simon Wicks
, who is also seeing Donna Ludlow
, leading Cindy and Donna to bicker for Simon's attention. However Cindy grows tired of Simon's womanising, and although he is falling for her, she turns her attentions to his stepbrother Ian Beale
, who is becoming a successful entrepreneur. Initially she is only trying to make Simon jealous, but she and Ian begin a relationship and by February 1989, they announce their engagement. Meanwhile, Simon retaliates by resuming a relationship with Sharon Watts
. However, while working together late one night at The Queen Victoria
public house
, Cindy and Simon have sex, a tryst that leaves Cindy pregnant. Cindy is prepared to leave Ian for Simon, but he does not want to be tied down or upset his family, so he rejects Cindy. With nowhere left to turn, Cindy begrudgingly marries Ian and pretends he is her baby's father. She gives birth to Steven Beale
in December 1989 and keeps his paternity secret. However, shortly after the birth, Simon develops paternal feelings towards his son and convinces Cindy to leave Ian for him. Cindy devastates Ian by telling him he is not Steven's father, and a feud erupts when he realises that Simon is. Ian's behaviour grows erratic; after failing to take his own life, he decides to ruin Simon's instead. Simon eventually decides that leaving Walford is the only option and he Cindy and Steven depart, leaving Ian broken.
In 1992, Ian discovers that Simon has abandoned his family, leaving Cindy to bring Steven up
alone in poverty. Ian persuades Cindy to return to Walford so they can bring up Steven together. Cindy is hesitant initially but agrees. Despite hostility from Ian's family and friends, the couple remain together and Cindy falls pregnant in 1993 with twins. Richard Cole
attempts to have a fling with Cindy, and retaliates to her rejection by spreading a rumour that he is the father of her twins. Everyone is quick to believe him, and Ian and Cindy almost split up, but the truth finally comes out, and Lucy
and Peter
(named after Ian's late father Pete
) are born in December 1993.
Married life and motherhood takes its toll on Cindy and she begins two affairs, first with Matt the lifeguard in 1994, and then with Simon Wicks
' brother, David
, in 1995. Cindy and David rendezvous in secret for a year. Cindy eventually falls in love, growing less and less tolerant of Ian. Suspecting Cindy is cheating, Ian hires a private investigator, who films Cindy and David in a clinch. Ian vows to take Cindy to court for custody of their children. With David losing interest in Cindy, she decides to take drastic action and in October 1996, she hires a hitman
to kill Ian. At the last minute, she changes her mind and decides to sort things out amicably, but it is too late, and Ian is shot by an armed man in a passing car, collapsing in a pool of blood in front of Cindy. Riddled with guilt, Cindy finds it impossible to look innocent to the police, who suspect that she has something to do with Ian's attempted murder. When David is called in for questioning, Cindy knows it is only a matter of time before she is arrested, so she decides to take her children and flee. With the help of David and Barry Evans
, she manages to snatch her sons from their schools. However Lucy, who is ill that day, had gone home early, and Cindy is forced to leave the country without her daughter. David also stays behind, promising Cindy that he would try and get Lucy and join her later, but he never did.
Ian's private investigator tracks Cindy to Italy
in 1997. Ian enlists the help of Phil
and Grant Mitchell
. They find Cindy in Italy and concoct a plan to reclaim Ian's children. Ian confronts Cindy, keeping her busy while Phil and Grant abduct the children. Ian pretends that he still loves Cindy and is willing to forgive her. Desperate to get her daughter back, Cindy goes along with this, however she grows suspicious and contacts the police, but it is too late. Despite a mad police chase, Ian successfully brings his sons back to Walford.
Cindy refuses to give her children up and follows Ian back to Walford with new boyfriend Nick Holland. She takes Ian to court for custody of the children and wins. However, moments after the verdict, Cindy is arrested for attempted murder when Ian's associates persuade the hitman to admit to Cindy's involvement. Cindy is taken into custody and charged. At this time, she is pregnant with her fourth child (this time to boyfriend, Nick). However, after realising Cindy is responsible for attempting to kill Ian, Nick decides he wants nothing more to do with her and leaves her in prison without any money for a lawyer.
On Bonfire Night 1998, Ian receives news that Cindy has died in childbirth. The baby survives, and is named Cindy by Ian, in her mother's honour. Custody is given to Cindy's sister, Gina Williams.
(Nick Berry
). She was due to appear in only eleven episodes but the character evolved. Writer Colin Brake
has suggested that Cindy was "the most important character for the future" to be introduced in 1988, despite her low-key entrance.
Actress Michelle Collins was asked to audition for the part by the soap's co-creator, Julia Smith
, who saw her perform on stage. Collins had previously auditioned for the role of original character Mary Smith, but at the time Julia Smith had decided they did not want that character to be from London, so that role went to Linda Davidson
. Three years on, Collins successfully won the role of Cindy. She has commented, "Cindy arrived for 11 episodes, working on a hat stall and as a tease for Wicksy, but evolved into a much juicier character. [EastEnders creator] Julia Smith said it would change my life. I didn't believe her - how wrong I was."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
, played by Michelle Collins
Michelle Collins
Michelle Danielle Collins is a British actress best known for her roles on television in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as Cindy Beale, Coronation Street as Stella Price, and BBC dramas Sunburn and Two Thousand Acres of Sky...
.
Cindy always had an eye for the lotharios of Walford and despite trying to settle down repeatedly with the more reliable Ian Beale
Ian Beale
Ian Albert Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the longest-serving character and the only remaining original character to have appeared continuously since the first episode on 19 February 1985...
, she was unable to remain faithful to him. She had a selfish streak, often more concerned about her own needs than her family's. She often lied and schemed, particularly where men were concerned.
Storylines
Cindy arrives in Albert SquareAlbert Square
Albert Square is the fictional location of the BBC soap opera EastEnders. It is ostensibly located in the equally fictional London borough of Walford in London's East End. The square's design was based on the real life Fassett Square in Hackney, and was given the name Albert Square after the real...
in May 1988, working on her mother's market stall selling hats. She dates barman Simon Wicks
Simon Wicks
Simon "Wicksy" Wicks is a fictional character from the British BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nick Berry between 1985 and 1990. Wicksy was introduced to take on some of the more adult storylines that had been scripted for another character, Mark Fowler; Mark's actor David Scarboro had left...
, who is also seeing Donna Ludlow
Donna Ludlow
Donna Ludlow is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Matilda Ziegler between 1987-1989. Donna was scripted as a troubled individual, desperate for attention, but shunned by almost all who encountered her...
, leading Cindy and Donna to bicker for Simon's attention. However Cindy grows tired of Simon's womanising, and although he is falling for her, she turns her attentions to his stepbrother Ian Beale
Ian Beale
Ian Albert Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the longest-serving character and the only remaining original character to have appeared continuously since the first episode on 19 February 1985...
, who is becoming a successful entrepreneur. Initially she is only trying to make Simon jealous, but she and Ian begin a relationship and by February 1989, they announce their engagement. Meanwhile, Simon retaliates by resuming a relationship with Sharon Watts
Sharon Rickman
Sharon Anne Rickman is a fictional character from the popular BBC1 soap opera EastEnders, played by Letitia Dean, who was a regular cast member for the first 10 years after the programme began on 19 February 1985. She returned in May 2001, and appeared on and off, having most recently appeared in...
. However, while working together late one night at The Queen Victoria
The Queen Victoria
The Queen Victoria is a fictional Victorian public house in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. It has the fictional address of 46 Albert Square, Walford, London E20.-Appearance and development:...
public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, Cindy and Simon have sex, a tryst that leaves Cindy pregnant. Cindy is prepared to leave Ian for Simon, but he does not want to be tied down or upset his family, so he rejects Cindy. With nowhere left to turn, Cindy begrudgingly marries Ian and pretends he is her baby's father. She gives birth to Steven Beale
Steven Beale
Steven Peter Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Edward Farrell from 1989 to 1990, Stuart Stevens from 1992 to 1996, Edward Savage from 1997 to 2002, and Aaron Sidwell from 2007 to 2008...
in December 1989 and keeps his paternity secret. However, shortly after the birth, Simon develops paternal feelings towards his son and convinces Cindy to leave Ian for him. Cindy devastates Ian by telling him he is not Steven's father, and a feud erupts when he realises that Simon is. Ian's behaviour grows erratic; after failing to take his own life, he decides to ruin Simon's instead. Simon eventually decides that leaving Walford is the only option and he Cindy and Steven depart, leaving Ian broken.
In 1992, Ian discovers that Simon has abandoned his family, leaving Cindy to bring Steven up
alone in poverty. Ian persuades Cindy to return to Walford so they can bring up Steven together. Cindy is hesitant initially but agrees. Despite hostility from Ian's family and friends, the couple remain together and Cindy falls pregnant in 1993 with twins. Richard Cole
Richard Cole (EastEnders)
Richard Cole is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Ian Reddington between 1992 and 1994.-Storylines:...
attempts to have a fling with Cindy, and retaliates to her rejection by spreading a rumour that he is the father of her twins. Everyone is quick to believe him, and Ian and Cindy almost split up, but the truth finally comes out, and Lucy
Lucy Beale
Lucy Katherine Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Eva Brittin-Snell from 1993 to 1996, Casey Anne Rothery from 1996 until 2004, Melissa Suffield from 2004 to 2010 and Hetti Bywater from 2012 onwards. Lucy was introduced in December 1993 as the newborn baby...
and Peter
Peter Beale
Peter Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He was played by Thomas Law from 2006 until 2010. The character has previously been portrayed by James Martin, Joseph Shade, Alex Stevens and Francis Brittin-Snell. Law took over the role on 31 August 2006...
(named after Ian's late father Pete
Pete Beale
Peter "Pete" Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Peter Dean. He made his first appearance in the programme's first episode, on 19 February 1985. The character was created by Tony Holland, one of the creators of EasEnders; he was based on a member of...
) are born in December 1993.
Married life and motherhood takes its toll on Cindy and she begins two affairs, first with Matt the lifeguard in 1994, and then with Simon Wicks
Simon Wicks
Simon "Wicksy" Wicks is a fictional character from the British BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nick Berry between 1985 and 1990. Wicksy was introduced to take on some of the more adult storylines that had been scripted for another character, Mark Fowler; Mark's actor David Scarboro had left...
' brother, David
David Wicks
David Wicks is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Michael French. He originally appeared between 1993 to 1996...
, in 1995. Cindy and David rendezvous in secret for a year. Cindy eventually falls in love, growing less and less tolerant of Ian. Suspecting Cindy is cheating, Ian hires a private investigator, who films Cindy and David in a clinch. Ian vows to take Cindy to court for custody of their children. With David losing interest in Cindy, she decides to take drastic action and in October 1996, she hires a hitman
Hitman
A hitman is a person hired to kill another person.- Hitmen in organized crime :Hitmen are largely linked to the world of organized crime. Hitmen are hired people who kill people for money. Notable examples include Murder, Inc., Mafia hitmen and Richard Kuklinski.- Other cases involving hitmen...
to kill Ian. At the last minute, she changes her mind and decides to sort things out amicably, but it is too late, and Ian is shot by an armed man in a passing car, collapsing in a pool of blood in front of Cindy. Riddled with guilt, Cindy finds it impossible to look innocent to the police, who suspect that she has something to do with Ian's attempted murder. When David is called in for questioning, Cindy knows it is only a matter of time before she is arrested, so she decides to take her children and flee. With the help of David and Barry Evans
Barry Evans (EastEnders)
Barry Evans is a fictional character played by Shaun Williamson. He appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders between 1994 and 2004. The character was portrayed as a "buffoon." Williamson controversially left the serial after ten years in 2003 after executive producer Louise Berridge refused to...
, she manages to snatch her sons from their schools. However Lucy, who is ill that day, had gone home early, and Cindy is forced to leave the country without her daughter. David also stays behind, promising Cindy that he would try and get Lucy and join her later, but he never did.
Ian's private investigator tracks Cindy to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in 1997. Ian enlists the help of Phil
Phil Mitchell
Philip James "Phil" Mitchell is a long-running fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden.Phil first arrived in Albert Square on 20 February 1990, and was soon joined by his brother, Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy...
and Grant Mitchell
Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)
Grant Anthony Mitchell is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders, played by Ross Kemp. Grant first appeared in 1990, introduced by producer Michael Ferguson to revamp the show. Kemp remained until 1999 when he opted to leave...
. They find Cindy in Italy and concoct a plan to reclaim Ian's children. Ian confronts Cindy, keeping her busy while Phil and Grant abduct the children. Ian pretends that he still loves Cindy and is willing to forgive her. Desperate to get her daughter back, Cindy goes along with this, however she grows suspicious and contacts the police, but it is too late. Despite a mad police chase, Ian successfully brings his sons back to Walford.
Cindy refuses to give her children up and follows Ian back to Walford with new boyfriend Nick Holland. She takes Ian to court for custody of the children and wins. However, moments after the verdict, Cindy is arrested for attempted murder when Ian's associates persuade the hitman to admit to Cindy's involvement. Cindy is taken into custody and charged. At this time, she is pregnant with her fourth child (this time to boyfriend, Nick). However, after realising Cindy is responsible for attempting to kill Ian, Nick decides he wants nothing more to do with her and leaves her in prison without any money for a lawyer.
On Bonfire Night 1998, Ian receives news that Cindy has died in childbirth. The baby survives, and is named Cindy by Ian, in her mother's honour. Custody is given to Cindy's sister, Gina Williams.
Creation
Cindy was introduced in 1988 in a minor role as a love-interest for Simon WicksSimon Wicks
Simon "Wicksy" Wicks is a fictional character from the British BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nick Berry between 1985 and 1990. Wicksy was introduced to take on some of the more adult storylines that had been scripted for another character, Mark Fowler; Mark's actor David Scarboro had left...
(Nick Berry
Nick Berry
Nicholas "Nick" Berry is a British television actor and musician. He is best known for his roles as Simon Wicks in the British soap opera EastEnders from 1985 to 1990 and as PC Nick Rowan in the British drama television series Heartbeat from 1992 to 1998.-Career:Berry started acting at the age of...
). She was due to appear in only eleven episodes but the character evolved. Writer Colin Brake
Colin Brake
Colin Brake is an English television writer and script editor best known for his work for the BBC on programs such as Bugs and EastEnders. He has also written spin-offs from the BBC series Doctor Who...
has suggested that Cindy was "the most important character for the future" to be introduced in 1988, despite her low-key entrance.
Actress Michelle Collins was asked to audition for the part by the soap's co-creator, Julia Smith
Julia Smith
Julia Smith was an English television director and producer.- Early career :London-born Smith became involved in television production when she directed the series Suspense in 1962...
, who saw her perform on stage. Collins had previously auditioned for the role of original character Mary Smith, but at the time Julia Smith had decided they did not want that character to be from London, so that role went to Linda Davidson
Linda Davidson
Linda Davidson is a Canadian-British former actress, writer and a media corporate. She played the wayward punk, Mary Smith in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. Mary was one of the serial's original characters and Davidson played her from March 1985 to May 1988...
. Three years on, Collins successfully won the role of Cindy. She has commented, "Cindy arrived for 11 episodes, working on a hat stall and as a tease for Wicksy, but evolved into a much juicier character. [EastEnders creator] Julia Smith said it would change my life. I didn't believe her - how wrong I was."