EastEnders star Michelle Collins has teased the drama ahead in this year’s Christmas Day episodes, describing it as ‘a real classic’.

Her character Cindy Beale is set to be at the centre of the drama as her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) comes spilling out around the dinner table, sending shockwaves through the Beale and Knight families.

As fans know, the truth was captured on a recording earlier this year, and recent scenes have seen Cindy take desperate action after a copy fell into the hands of a blackmailer, who’s been intent on destroying her life.

With all hell set to break loose on The Vic later today, Michelle says she feels ‘very honoured’ to be at the heart of the BBC soap’s big festive edition, which is much-hyped every year.

She says: ‘It’s almost like a tradition to watch EastEnders on Christmas Day. It’s always a classic and it was a classic last Christmas, so it’s great to be involved in this one.

‘I think the episode this year is a real EastEnders classic, so I’m really excited to be a part of it.’

Teasing the aftermath of the Christmas Day episodes, Michelle believes there could be a chance of redemption for Cindy following her shocking betrayal.

She says: ‘She is a complex character to play, she’s very self-destructive and she doesn’t have an off button, but I do think she needs some kind of redemption for the character to be believable. Nobody’s perfect.’

Only time will tell if Cindy’s family can forgive her and Junior’s actions, however…

Meanwhile, Michelle also shared her joy at working on the set of EastEnders at Christmas time, having returned to the show after more than 25 years in 2023.

She says: ‘I do love Christmas on EastEnders, and I particularly love being in the Square at night because there is something really beautiful, and calm about it as it resonates so many feelings. 

‘I was shooting on there recently doing a night shoot, and there is something really romantic about it. I think it conjures up so many memories of me as a young woman, working in the Square. There is something really special about spending Christmas in Albert Square.’

Given what is about to unfold, we doubt Cindy would agree with her real-life counterpart on that one. 

EastEnders airs two episodes on Christmas Day at 7.25pm and 10.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.