Michelle Collins, fellow Eastenders stars and celebrity friends came together on 9 March to help raise nearly £25,000 for North London Hospice. The inaugural Big Fun Quiz night was organised in memory of Michelle’s great friend, Melvyn J Taub, who was cared for by the hospice. The star-studded evening included an entertainment themed quiz, comedy, music and dining for over 100 guests.

Taking place at celebrity chef Aldo Zilli’s restaurant, Undercroft Mayfair, Aldo created delicious tapas dishes for Michelle’s celebrity friends including award-winning actress Monica Dolan, Eastenders favourites Harriet Thorpe, Colin Salmon, Francesca Henry and Sophie Khan Levy, national treasures Christoper Biggins, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, film star Nick Moran, This Morning’s resident soap expert, Sharon Marshall, singer and actress Clare Grogan, actress Beatie Edney, Instagram favourite Dr. Bob Khanna plus music stars Nick Heyward and Haircut 100 band members and Sarah Dallin from Bananarama.

Michelle was joined on stage by special guests Stephen Bailey and Shazia Mirza who provided comedy whilst singing sensation Mari Wilson, best known for her smash hit Just What I Always Wanted, provided musical entertainment. Michelle, who looked stunning in a slinky, floor length, black sparkly dress, and who used to perform together with Melvyn in Mari’s band The Wilsations, took to the mic with Mari to wow the crowd with her vocals.

Michelle Collins said: “I was so pleased to be able to organise this event in memory of my dear friend Melvyn. The evening was really special, and I am so thankful to everyone who came along to support. Hospices do amazing work and thanks to the money raised, North London Hospice will be able to continue to care for patients in the future.”

North London Hospice cares for over 3,500 people with a life-limiting illness every year and it costs more than £16 million a year to run the charity.

Anna Cooper, Director of Fundraising and Communications said: “We are so grateful to Michelle for hosting our Big Fun Quiz. We are thrilled to have raised such an incredible amount of money for our charity. Around a third of our funding comes from the NHS which means that we need to raise the rest ourselves which is why events like this are so important. Thank you to everyone who came out in support of our hospice.”