Michelle Collins “I’m a bit old to have that big white wedding”

A late summer ceremony is on the way for Corrie star Michelle’s Stella and her Rovers Return love Karl, played by former Taggart favourite John Michie.

“All we know is that I got a call from the costume department saying, ‘Do you want to go wedding shopping?” Michelle told The Sunday Post during a filming break on the set of the show that was an eight-time winner at last month’s Soap Awards.

“No one’s seen the script so all we know is that there is going to be a wedding.”

So what kind of dress does Michelle think Stella should wear?

“Oh, a big fat gypsy wedding type,” laughs the bubbly 51-year-old actress, previously a soap favourite from playing Cindy Beale in EastEnders.

“It’s really weird because I’ve never been married myself.

“I have been married several times on screen so I do love a wedding, especially my own!

“I actually did something where I was a bigamist and I got married eight times.

“Stella’s not been married before either so I think she will go for it big time.”

Michelle’s found love herself recently, with reports of her dating younger shopkeeper Mike Davison.

But she laughs off any real-life wedding planning saying: “I’m a bit old to have that big white wedding,” before coyly adding: “I’m happy for the moment!”

Michelle has become a big Street favourite, running the newly-revamped Rovers but confides she finds it far from old hat.

“I still feel like the new girl. Maybe it’s because I come and go, I don’t live in Manchester.

“It’s good but you should never become too complacent. I signed for three years so I did think I’d still be here unless they sacked me or I ran away!

“I’m in my third year now so we’ll see. I try to live life day-to-day and, as an actor, I’m used to not knowing what’s around the corner. So I try not to think that far ahead to be honest.”

Bad boy Karl was responsible for the fire that ripped through the Rovers, resulting in two deaths.

“Stella has no suspicions and she’ll be devastated when she finds out,” adds Michelle.

“Sometimes, watching it, I want to shake her but she really has no idea. She loves him and couldn’t believe he’d do that to anyone.”