‘I was shocked’: Danniella Westbrook hits out EastEnders as she claims she wasn’t told they were replacing her with different Sam Mitchell actress
- Last week the actress, 48, lashed out at EastEnders after it was confirmed Kim Medcalf has been chosen to reprise the role of Sam Mitchell over her
- Danniella now says she was ‘shocked’ not to have been told about the casting decision prior to it being made public
- The character was originally played by Danniella from 1990 but was replaced by Kim in 2002, while she battled her highly publicised cocaine addiction
Danniella Westbrook has hit out at EastEnders for reportedly not informing her that her role as Sam Mitchell had been recast.
Last week the actress, 48, lashed out at EastEnders after it was confirmed Kim Medcalf has been chosen to reprise the role of Sam Mitchell over her.
And speaking to The Sun, Danniella said she was ‘shocked’ not to have been told about the casting decision prior to it being made public.
Caught unawares: Danniella Westbrook has hit out at EastEnders for reportedly not informing her that her role as Sam Mitchell had been recast
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.’
The star – who has struggled with drug addiction since the age of 14 – added: ‘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.’
EastEnders did not immediately respond to comment.
Iconic: The daughter of Peggy Mitchell, made her first appearance in 1990, originally played by Danniella, 48, (left) but was replaced by Kim in 2002 (right) due to her off screen difficulties
The soap star took to Twitter following the announcement and claimed the BBC soap would be hearing from her ‘legal team’ and also hinted at future revelations that she has ‘never told’ in her upcoming book.
Danniella began her rant with a cryptic tweet reading: ‘Well well well who knew [laughing emojis] all I can say is thanks looks like I dodged a bullet.’
The TV star wished Kim well as she reprises the role both actresses have played over the years, while suggesting Kim would have to play it similar to her version of Sam.
She wrote: ‘Wishing Kym the best of luck at @BBCEastEnders yet again this poor woman has to recreate a Samantha Mitchell as close to my last two recent come backs on the square go smash it darling..x’.
Daniella then added: ‘Oh but not to @BBCEastEnders my legal team will be in touch to know why when I held the…
‘@bbceastenders contract too the last two times the character bounced in &out on a ratings or stint. For the record I was never sacked or dismissed and saw out both contracts one of them even being extended for episodes. It’s great 2 C the same level of care standards & loyalty 2
‘@bbceastenders you bang on about having and giving to both new & old members of cast is still going as strong then as it always has… not just me as Sam that needs replacing I’d look closer to the top of the show and cut that dead wood after all it’s all about evolving.’
Not happy: Last week Danniella lashed out at EastEnders after it was confirmed Kim Medcalf has been chosen to reprise the role of Sam Mitchell over her (pictured as Sam)
‘Bet you all can’t wait for my new book now can ya ….. oh it’s gonna go way back to the things I’ve never ever told #beafraidpeople #itsallgood’.
Danniella’s words come after it was confirmed Sam Mitchell is making an ‘explosive’ comeback to the soap with Kim reprising her role this time around.
The daughter of Peggy Mitchell, made her first appearance in Walford in 1990, originally played by Danniella but was replaced by Kim in 2002, while she battled her highly publicised cocaine addiction.
Speaking to The Sun, 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.’
Danniella wrote: @BBCEastEnders my legal team will be in touch… Bet you all can’t wait for my new book now can ya’
BBC television producer Kate Oates added: ‘I have long wanted to bring Sam back into the family fold. Her return is guaranteed to be explosive.’
Kim previously played Sam between 2002 and 2005 but in more recent years the role has been taken on by Danniella.
Danniella returned to the soap in September 2009 for a year, then for a final time as Sam in 2016 for a short four episode stint.
Replacement: The actress, 48, took to Twitter and claimed the BBC soap would be hearing from her ‘legal team’ following the news that Kim had been rehired
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