EastEnders star Michelle Collins tied the knot with her toyboy lover Mike Davidson at Islington Town Hall on Wednesday.
The 60-year-old soap star, best known for playing Cindy Beale, looked incredible in a white jumpsuit as she said “yes” to her longtime love, before kissing in the street outside while holding glasses of champagne held in hand.
The happy couple were covered in confetti as they left City Hall and Michelle wore a garland of flowers on her head. Mike mirrored her style in a white jacket worn over a black shirt and black trousers.
EastEnders star Michelle Collins is MARRIED! Actress Cindy Beale, 60, wore a white jumpsuit to tie the knot with toyboy Mike Davidson, 38, at Islington Town Hall on Wednesday
All in white: Michelle, who is best known for playing Cindy Beale, looked incredible in a white jumpsuit as she said ‘yes’ to her longtime love, before kissing in the street outside while holding glasses of champagne at the hand held
The couple left to begin married life in a classic white convertible decorated with ribbons.
Michelle’s former co-star Adam Woodyatt, who played Cindy’s ex-husband at EastEnders, was also in attendance but looked quite casual in blue trousers and a striped shirt.
The couple’s characters were quite acrimonious at EastEnders. Cindy famously died in prison during childbirth.
She was sent down after she was sent down in a story that aired in 1998 for hiring a hitman to kill Ian when he said he would take her to court over custody of their children .
Long-term love: Michelle revealed on social media in April that Mike had popped the question during a hike to Temescal Canyon in Los Angeles – a decade after the couple first met
Familiar face: Michelle’s former co-star Adam Woodyatt, who played Cindy’s ex-husband at EastEnders, was also in attendance but looked quite casual in blue trousers, a striped shirt and trainers
Flashback: Cindy was sent downstairs for hiring a hitman to kill Ian when he said he would take her to court over custody of their children, in a story that aired in 1998 (pictured) .
Also in attendance that day was Lord Michael Cashman, now better known for his political career than his acting skills.
He rose to fame as Colin Russell on EastEnders 36 years ago and returned to the show for a short stint in 2016.
The former Labor MP appeared on the program for three years from 1986 and made headlines the following year when his character shared the first gay kiss on a British soap opera.
Using the platform EastEnders gave him to raise awareness of LGBT rights, the star founded the charity Stonewall in 1989. He was MEP for the West Midlands from 1999 to 2014 when he was appointed to the House of Lords.
Teenage beauty: Michelle looked incredible as she flashed a smile outside the venue, bouquet in hand
Beautiful wheels: The couple started married life in a classic white convertible decorated with ribbons
Soap star Michelle confirmed her engagement to Mike in April by sharing a picture from a friend’s account on her Instagram stories.
The snap showed the screen star sipping champagne, with the caption: “The bride to be @michellecollins.”
Now she has told her friends that they saw no point in waiting to tie the knot anymore as they have been together for a decade, according to The Sun.
A source said she told friends: “We know it’s late but we’ve been together for 10 years and what’s the point of waiting.
Former colleagues: A host of family and friends were pictured outside the venue, including Lord Michael Cashman (centre) – who is better known these days for his political career than his acting skills
“We thought life is too short and we all want to see our friends and celebrate.”
Guests are said to be welcomed after the ceremony at a reception at a split-level private bar in North London, which features a pub with a Venetian chandelier and a heated roof terrace.
Michelle revealed on social media in April that Mike popped the question during a hike to Temescal Canyon in Los Angeles — a decade after the pair first met.
She told her Instagram followers: “So that’s what happened in #la, he fell to a bent knee while we were at the top of #temescalcanyon, basically no one else around.
“It’s #beautfiul and I’m #happy #10 years this April I think (sic).”
The actress previously hit out at critics over the 22-year age difference between the duo and was frustrated at being branded a “cougar”.
Michelle – who has also appeared in Coronation Street and Doctor Who – said in 2018: “Mike is 22 years younger than me and I’m seen as a predator. This drives me crazy. People call him my toyboy beau. He’s almost 35, for God’s sake.
“He turned to me the other day and said, ‘I’m not still your toyboy, am I?’
“I’m laughing about it now, but it’s annoying. And I hate that word cougar. I can not stand. I find it so demeaning. A cougar is a predator that roams around looking for young flesh. I’m definitely not like that.’