Sam Michell is an EastEnders icon and OF fans will know that the character was originally played by Danniella Westbrook.
From the moment that she arrived, Sam caused a ruckus - from her failed year-long marriage to Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) to posing topless and ending up in a porno magazine, Danniella’s time playing Sam was a rollercoaster.
So let’s take a look at her years in Walford and where she is now.
What happened to Sam Mitchell when Danniella Westbrook was playing the role?
In her early days on our screens, Sam was unlucky in love and had many affairs, flings and she even eloped with Ricky to marry after a whirlwind romance.
She had an affair during the marriage with Clive (Sean Gallagher) but after he told her he wasn’t interested in a relationship, Sam left Walford and her husband for Spain.
When she returned, Sam tried to split Ricky and his new flame Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and had a short-lived relationship with Guillermo (Robert Reina).
She left again before returning briefly and causing a stir between Steve Owen (Martin Kemp) and Mel Owen (Tamzin Oathwaite) after she had a one-night-stand with Steve.
Sam then left Walford and returned in 2005 and stayed for three years but during this time she was played by Kim Medcalf (more on that later).
Sam (played by Danniella) then returned to Albert Square in 2009 and got up to a lot of drama in Walford.
She tried to date Ricky again, she slept with her cousin - Ronnie Mitchell’s (Samantha Womack) - partner Jack Branning and fell pregnant, she became a suspect in Archie Mitchell’s (Larry Lamb) murder and found herself in jail for her role in Dirty Den's (Leslie Grantham) murder.
Once she was released from prison, Ronnie offered Sam money to leave Walford with baby Richard. She took the cast and tried to seduce old flame Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi) to leave with her but failed.
Sam briefly returned in 2016 for Peggy Mitchell’s funeral and as of 2022 the character returned but with Kim playing the role.
Why did Danniella Westbrook leave EastEnders in 1996?
Danniella arrived on our screens as Sam in 1990 but she left the soap in 1993 to pursue another project. She was then asked back in 1995 but it was only a year before she left again. The soap star was reportedly axed after drug use.
When was Danniella Westbrook last on EastEnders?
She last appeared as the feisty Mitchell in 2016 when Sam returned to the Square from Portugal, where she had been living with her son Richard for her mum's funeral.
What has Danniella Westbrook said about EastEnders?
Quite a lot, and it’s not too favourable.
She recently threatened legal action against the Beeb after they brought back Kim Medcalf.
Last year, she cryptically wrote on Twitter, “Well well well who knew. All I can say is thanks looks like I dodged a bullet.
“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 comebacks on the Square go smash it, darling...
”Oh but not to @bbceastenders my legal team will be in touch to know why when I held the @bbceastenders contract 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."
She went on to say, "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.”
Would Danniella Westbrook return to EastEnders?
After that scathing Twitter thread, we don’t think so.
Is Danniella Westbrook friends with her EastEnders co-stars?
In 2016, after Danniella appeared on This Morning and spoke about her struggles, she revealed that Sid Owen (aka Rickaaaaay) had reached out. She tweeted, "@sidowen5 hearing your voice cheered me up no end x old friends make the best friends x".
She also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside John Partridge who played Christian Clarke.
What is Danniella Westbrook doing now?
Danniella hasn’t done any film or TV work in recent years, but last year she starred in an adult pantomime of Cinderella titled ‘Sinderfella’ where she played the Fairy Godmother.
How old is Danniella Westbrook?
She’s 49. Her birthday is 5 November 1973.
Is Danniella Westbrook in a relationship?
As of July 2023, Danniella is reportedly dating a "rich businessman".