Danniella Westbrook reveals career change after threatening BBC with legal action over Sam Mitchell snub
DANNIELLA Westbrook has revealed her career change after threatening the BBC with legal action over her Sam Mitchell snub.
The former soap actress - who played Sam in BBC One's EastEnders - was cast aside as Kim Medcalf was cast as her old character in a reprise of the role.
Danniella, 48, lashed out over the weekend and threatened legal action against the broadcaster following the casting announcement.
Defending her right to play the lap-dancer, the actress wrote on Twitter that her "legal team would be in touch" with the BBC over the row.
"Wishing Kym the best of luck at EastEnders, yet again this poor woman has to recreate a Samantha Mitchell as close to my last two recent comebacks on the Square," Danniella penned.
"Go smash it darling. Oh but not to @bbceastenders, my legal team will be in touch," she continued, before revealing her latest career venture.
"Bet you all can't wait for my new book now can you," Danniella said as she confirmed that she was busy writing her autobiography on Saturday night.
"Oh it's going go way back to the things I've never told."
The new book will be the third penned by Danniella - who previously wrote The Other Side Of Nowhere and Faith, Hope and Clarity.
Danniella previously opened up about being replaced on the soap as she suggested she "had not been contacted" about reprising her role.
Kim played Sam until 2005 when she abandoned son Ricky when she quit Walford.
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Danniella, 48, reprised the role in 2009 and then again in 2016, when Sam joined her family for Peggy’s funeral.
EastEnders confirmed Kim has been re-cast as Sam.
And sources said BBC soap bosses — who have been in talks with Kim since last autumn — are planning a series of explosive storylines.
One said: “Sam’s return has been on the cards for some time. They felt she was a natural fit for this version of Sam. It’s nothing against Danniella, she created an icon as the character.
“But as often happens in soaps, the bosses wanted to recast and take Sam in a different direction. Kim is due to begin filming in two weeks and everyone is very excited.”
Kim said: “When the BBC approached me last year to reprise the role of Sam I was thrilled.
“She’s a brilliant character and I can’t wait to get back in the Square and work with the amazing cast.”
BBC head of continuing drama Kate Oates: “I have long wanted to bring Sam back into the family fold. Her return is guaranteed to be explosive.”
