I'm excited...and terrified

'Enders star in solo show at Edinburgh

- BY JANINE YAQOOB TV and Showbiz Editor

AS EastEnders' villain Cindy Beale, Michelle Collins is used to dropping bombshells... but now she's set to tread the boards as the ultimate blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe.

Michelle is taking a break from the BBC soap to star in a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Festival next month.

And the dark comedy Motorhome Marilyn has been a labour of love for Michelle, 63.

She said: "It's been years in the making so I can't wait to get it out there but I'm very nervous.

"Think Shirley Valentine meets the Coen Brothers meets Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire. It’s one of the most terrifying things I've done. My lines are in my handbag everywhere I go."