The 41-year-old confirmed the news on Twitter, admitting she's struggling to get acting work.
Instead of dwelling on this, the former EastEnders star is switching careers. She said: "Applying for a course to become a care worker for the elderly.. Retraining at 41 is quite exciting. #NewBeginnings #StillActingToo."
Danniella, who rose to fame playing Sam Mitchell in the BBC One soap, insisted she's not leaving acting behind for good.
She added: "Well can't sit here waiting to act, so I want to do a carers course, will do acting as and when it turns up. I life 2 be busy & help others [sic]."
Her followers rushed to wish her luck, with one writing: "A great attitude. Hope some acting work turns up soon."
Another said: "Good for you Danni I'm well impressed. U make a good carer. All the best think u will enjoy it [sic]."
It's been a tough 12 months for Danniella. She's had a very public on/off relationship with cage fighter Tom Richards, 24, financial troubles resulted in her becoming homeless and she admitted to taking cocaine again.
Last night Danniella praised her former EastEnders co-stars as they took part in a live episode to celebrate the soap's 30th anniversary.
She tweeted: "@AdamWoodyatt sat and cried my eyes out watching u and @LauriebrettX amazing as ever x well done you lot @bbceastenders bloody brilliant [sic]."
EastEnders, children, addiction and kidnap: The highs and lows of Danniella Westbrook
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She's one of the most controversial stars of the last decade and Danniella Westbook's life could be something pulled straight out the soap that made her famous. From the immense highs to the dark lows, here's her life in pictures.
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40-years-old, born 5 November 1973.
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She is originally from Walthamstow, London but she grew up in Loughton, Essex.
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She attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School, alongside Denise Van Outen and Emma Bunton.
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Her first job was modelling for Asda when she was just seven. She continued modelling for brands including Next and Coca-Cola.
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Her first job on albert Square was actually when she was 11-years-old, when she appeared as a roller skating extra.
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A local newspaper ran the picture of her as an EastEnders' extra with the caption: "who knows, one day she may be the show's star".
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She made her debut as Sam Mitchell on EastEnders when she was just 16, in 1990.
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Her soap fame led to her regularly using cocaine on the London club scene.
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She dated singer Brian Harvey until 1995.
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Danniella's addiction to the Class A drug started to affect her work and EastEnders terminated her contract in 1996.
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By the time she was 21, Danniella was spending £400-a-day on her addiction to cocaine.
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While pregnant with her first son Kai, Danniella was taking 5g of coke a day.
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In 2000 Danniella was pictured at the British Soap Awards with her septum missing.
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Six months later she entered rehab for the first time.
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In December 2001 Danniella married businessman Kevin Jenkins.
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She gave birth to their daughter Jody B three months earlier.
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Danniella took part in the 2003 series of I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
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Following her stint in the jungle, Danniella moved to Orange County, California and claimed she didn't want to be a celebrity anymore.
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In 2009 Danniella returned to EastEnders temporarily.
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She and her husband and children moved back to the UK permanently in 2011.
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Danniella revealed last year that during the height of her addiction she was kidnapped and gang raped.
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She started dating 24-year-old cage fighter Tom Richards following her split from Kevin in January this year.
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In June Danniella miscarried her and Tom's baby.
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Danniella revealed in August that she had returned to drugs, admitting that she had split from Tom and slept with her dealer.
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Her dad Andy was a cab driver and her mum Sue was a shop assistant.