Jump directly to the content
Exclusive
'BBC GOT UP MY NOSE'

Ex-EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook blasts BBC for not telling her they’d recast her character

EX-EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook has hit out at the BBC for not telling her they had recast her Albert Square character with a different actress.

The Sun on Sunday revealed last week that Kim Medcalf, 48, will play Sam Mitchell — the fiery daughter of Queen Vic legend Peggy Mitchell, with filming beginning this month.

Ex-EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook has slammed the BBC for not telling her they had recast her Albert Square character with a different actress
4
Ex-EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook has slammed the BBC for not telling her they had recast her Albert Square character with a different actress
Danniella made her debut as Sam Mitchell in 1990, and most recently reprised the role in 2016
4
Danniella made her debut as Sam Mitchell in 1990, and most recently reprised the role in 2016
EastEnders confirmed Kim Medcalf has been recast as Sam, who abandoned son Ricky when she quit Walford
4
EastEnders confirmed Kim Medcalf has been recast as Sam, who abandoned son Ricky when she quit WalfordCredit: BBC

But 48-year-old Danniella — who made her debut as Sam in 1990 and last appeared in the role in 2016 — told how she was shocked when the news broke

She said: “I’ve been known as Sam Mitchell for 32 years. But nobody at EastEnders contacted me to let me know they had recast Kim in the role. There wasn’t even an email to my agent. I was shocked because they do have a responsibility to tell me and someone should have.”

Danniella has struggled with drug addiction since she was 14 and abused cocaine so badly it destroyed part of her nose.

She said: “The bosses have seen me go through addiction and they have no idea where I am today.

“Thankfully I’m OK. But if I hadn’t been it could have had very serious consequences for me.

Kim Medcalf, 48, played Sam Mitchell until 2005
4
Kim Medcalf, 48, played Sam Mitchell until 2005Credit: Getty
Topics