Michelle Collins has landed back in the UK after being left stranded in Spain due to a lost passport – as she reveals she spent £100 for an emergency document to get home.
The 61-year-old actress – who plays Cindy Beale in EastEnders – was able to purchase the document after losing her original at Malaga airport on New Year’s Day.
She was seen leaving Luton Airport terminal on Tuesday afternoon. Her husband Mike Davidson, 38, kindly met her at the airport to pick her up.
Michelle had previously taken to X to appeal for help after she was left stranded in Spain, but she managed to book an appointment at the British Consulate on Tuesday morning to get her travel plans back on track.
She wrote in an update ahead of her flight: ‘Going home! Sorted online, paid 100 quid for emergency document, appt this morning at 9 am at British consul. (sic)’
Michelle Collins has landed back in the UK after being left stranded in Spain due to a lost passport – as she reveals she spent £100 for an emergency document to get home
She was seen leaving Luton Airport terminal on Tuesday afternoon. Her husband Mike Davidson kindly met her at the airport to pick her up
She wrote in an update ahead of her flight: ‘Going home ! Sorted online, paid 100 quid for emergency document, appt this morning at 9 am at British consul (sic)’
Michelle admitted it was a ‘stressful’ experience, but she was just glad to be ‘safe, fit and healthy’.
She added: ‘Phew little stressful to say the least but could’ve been lot worse am safe, fit and healthy.
‘Thanks to all the lovely people on here and friends who helped me xx (sic)’
On Monday, Michelle wasn’t allowed to board an easyJet flight after losing her passport.
The star had pleaded for help from her airline EasyJet after she realised she had mislaid her passport at the airport.
Yet she later revealed she was barred from boarding the flight by airline staff, and was planning to visit the Embassy on Tuesday to gain an emergency document to travel home.
In a New Year’s Day plea to the airline, she wrote on X: ‘Please @easyJet can you help me I have lost my passport at Malaga airport the police ( I have been there ) say it is up to the airline to let me fly home ,, my flight is at 8 30 pm tonight I am heading to the airport having just left the police station . Thank you Michele x (sic)’
She later posted: ‘Nobody is very helpful @easyJet this is awful (sic)’
The 61-year-old actress – who plays Cindy Beale in EastEnders – was able to purchase the document after losing her original at Malaga airport on New Year’s Day
On Monday Michelle unfortunately wasn’t allowed to board an EasyJet flight after losing her passport
She had pleaded for help from her airline EasyJet after she realised she had mislaid her passport at the airport
Yet she later revealed she was barred from boarding the flight by airline staff, despite her attempts to talk to Easy Jet
She wore a crema coat and black cowboy boots as she headed home from the airport
Michelle had previously taken to X to appeal for help after she was left stranded in Spain, but she managed to book an appointment at the British Consulate on Tuesday morning to get her travel plans back on track
Friends and fans were delighted for the star as she confirmed she had managed to secure a flight home as they replied to her post with their supportive comment
A spokesperson for easyJet told MailOnline: ‘We have been in contact with Ms Collins to advise her to contact the British Embassy for assistance with emergency documentation for travel’
Her husband Mike and their dog were on hand to pick her up
She wrapped up warm in the cream coat and wore a black hat
Michelle later updated fans, and revealed she wasn’t allowed to fly after trying to obtain a temporary passport from the embassy, but it was closed.
She added: ‘Thank you most of you for your helpful comments , I wasn’t allowed to fly, went to embassy was closed applied for an emergency document online so let’s see what happens will go there when it opens in the morning . (sic)’
Friends and fans were delighted for the star as she confirmed she had managed to secure a flight home as they replied to her post with their supportive comment.
One wrote: ‘Hooray!! So happy for ya. Now you get back there and go film more EastEnders for us. Yes!!!’
A second penned: ‘That’s brilliant Michelle. So glad that it’s all sorted. Missed the original post, but so delighted you’re okay & you will be home soon. Happy New Year gorgeous lady. Best wishes, Michael X’.
A third chimed: ‘So glad you managed to do it! I know how stressful these things can be. Happy you are safe and well XX’ and a fourth added: ‘Safe journey’.
Despite admitting she was due to film EastEnders scenes, Michelle tried to look on the bright side by reflecting that she was ‘alive and safe’.
A spokesperson for easyJet told MailOnline: ‘We have been in contact with Ms Collins to advise her to contact the British Embassy for assistance with emergency documentation for travel. This is always required if a passport is lost.’
‘While we sympathize with the situation, all immigration procedures are set down by the authorities, not the airline and so we must follow what is required by the authorities.’
Mike helped her with her luggage as she left the airport with him
She battled through the blustery conditions to get back to the car and head home
Michelle is now back in the UK safely after a stressful 24 hours of travel mayhem
Mike wore a brown leather coat, dark jeans and chunky boots
She made her way through departures and headed home while chatting on the phone
Even their pet pooch came to greet her at the airport
