Martine McCutcheon admits she would have returned to 'EastEnders' had her character not been killed off.
The former soap star claims she would have made a Walford comeback as Tiffany Mitchell had producers let her live, but it's a "blessing" that the character met her demise as she has been able to explore her other passions.
Martine - who scored a number one single with 'Perfect Moment' after leaving 'EastEnders' - said: "When I left I felt really exposed, so I do look back and go, 'Oh, why did they kill Tiffany off?' I felt so blessed to play such an amazing part and it wasn't my decision for it to end.
"I think I probably would have gone back. I would have panicked. I think the fact that I was thrown out there to sink or swim was actually a blessing, because I would never have got to work with the people that I worked with, or won an Olivier or had a number one or any of that.
"I would never have had those dreams come true, I would have been ticking along still playing Tiffany and never knowing about that whole world out there."
The 37-year-old star - who played Tiffany from 1995 to 1998 - says 'EastEnders' was the hardest job she's ever had but she enjoyed the camaraderie with the cast and crew.
She added to Digital Spy: "It was an unbelievably hard schedule; we were doing 22 scenes a day. It was the best training I ever had, and it is the most fun job because you do have your own little family there."

Modupe Adeyeye has been cast as Blessing Chamber on 'Hollyoaks'.
The actress has already begun filming and will grace our screens later this month, Digital Spy is reporting.
The new series regular will be introduced when Dennis Savage (Joe Tracini) pays a visit to the strip club where she works as a glass collector.
"Strong and colourful" character Blessing is left worried about her future when Dennis accidentally puts her job and her flat above the club at risk.
Modupe is best known for appearing as Faith Olubunmi in 'EastEnders' and soap spin-off 'EastEnders: E20' in 2011. She also had roles in TV dramas 'Our Girl' and 'My Murder'.
Fans can tune in to Channel 4 at 6.30pm on February 21 to see Blessing's grand entrance.
Her addition is expected liven the mood on 'Hollyoaks' in the wake of the recent dramatic rape storyline which saw teacher John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) assaulted by a pupil.
James revealed: "It's a really dark storyline. and it has taken its toll. I'm exhausted and I'm tired. I look like rubbish but this is what happens when people have been through what John Paul has been through."

Mary Berry has been named Oldie of the Year.
'The Great British Bake Off' judge won the prestigious title at the annual Oldie of the Year Awards hosted by Oldie magazine in London yesterday (04.02.14).
Mary, 78, has become a national treasure since appearing alongside Paul Hollywood on BBC Two's hit baking competition, which reached highs of nine million viewers for its fourth series last year.
The baking goddess follows in the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough and 'Absolutely Fabulous' star Joanna Lumley, who have both received the Oldie of the Year accolade in the past.
Despite being in her seventies, it appears Mary hasn't lost her youthful nature as 'Bake Off' hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins revealed last year that she went clubbing in Ibiza at the age of 71.
Sue said: "I was saying to her, 'I'm going to Ibiza this summer, I've never been.' She said to me, 'Oh I went to Ibiza, darling. I went to somewhere called Pacha.' Mary was 71!
"She said, 'I saw some very interesting things. Took a couple of girlfriends there, some very interesting things happened.' "
Mary and the 'Bake Off' gang will return for a new series of the show later this year, which will now air on BBC One.

Paris Hilton enjoyed a shopping spree at Barney's of New York in Beverly Hills. The off-duty heiress hid behind oversize shades as she stepped out with her boyfriend River Viiperi.

Vanessa Hudgens was all smiles as she left the Svedka Vodka party in West Hollywood. The 'Spring Breakers' actress accesorised her animal print dress with matching red nails and a statement ring.

Candice Swanepoel braved the cold winter weather for a meet and greet with fans at the Victoria Secret's 34th Street store in NYC. The supermodel kept warm in a full-length black coat and pastel scarf.

Cat Deeley kept her cool in a khaki trench coat as she jumped into her car after lunch at Alfred Cafe in Los Angeles.

Nikki Read vamped up her look with a leather blue pencil skirt at the The SVEDKA Valentines Day Party in Los Angeles.

Cate Blanchett looked pretty in polka dots at the premiere of her new movie 'The Monuments Men' in New York.

Britney Spears left little to the imagination as she performed at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The 'Toxic' singer wowed her audience in a sheer bodysuit and sparkly underwear.

Kim Kardashian hid her curves under an oversized coat as she filmed scenes for 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'. The reality TV star was joined by her mother Kris Jenner at Fins Restaurant in California.

Ashley Tisdale teamed jeans and a sweater with a smart jacket as she headed to a meeting in Beverly Hills.