Michelle Collins wants to tour car parks dressed as Marilyn Monroe.

Michelle Collins

Michelle Collins

The former 'EastEnders' actress was set to debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year playing the Hollywood icon in the 'Motorhome Marilyn' production, but the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means the annual event has been cancelled this year.

However, Michelle told the Daily Mail newspaper's Sebastian Shakespeare column: "It's time to think up crazy ideas.

"Everyone's talking about drive-in theatre. Maybe we can do the show in a car park and people could listen to it through their car radios?"

The 57-year-old soap star - who has also appeared in 'Coronation Street' - has been looking for ways to support the entertainment industry throughout the health crisis.

It was recently revealed she had teamed up with the Equity Benevolent Fund for the 'For The Love of Arts' campaign.

The new initiative brings together some of the best British talent - including the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, Elaine Paige, Sue Johnston and Miriam Margoyle - to deliver monologues from their own homes.

The pieces - which are available to watch on the EBF YouTube channel - feature a number of new and original pieces from a whole host of writers.

Michelle said: "The current crisis has had a devastating effect on my industry affecting so many of us indiscriminately.

"I wanted to help. I started ringing around friends in the industry and one thing led to another and I suddenly had a list of fantastic, well known and highly respected film, TV and stage actors on board, all wanting to help in any way they could.

"I also have a group of extremely talented writers who have all agreed to write a monologue for whoever needs one."