EastEnders’ Sam Mitchell to return as Kim Medcalf reprises Danniella Westbrook’s character

EastEnders is set to see a familiar face return to Albert Square. 

And Sam Mitchell, is set to make an ‘explosive’ come back to the soap with Kim Medcalf, 48, reprising her role of the iconic character, over Danniella Westbrook. 

The daughter of Peggy Mitchell, made her first appearance in Walford in 1990, originally played by Danniella, 48, but was replaced by Kim in 2002, due to her off screen difficulties.  

Familiar face! EastEnders’ Sam Mitchell, 48, is to make an ‘explosive’ return to the soap as Kim Medcalf reprises the role that was once played by Danniella Westbrook, 48

Speaking to The Sun Kim detailed: ‘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.’

Whilst BBC television producer Kate Oates, 43, added: ‘I have long wanted to bring Sam back into the family fold. Her return is guaranteed to be explosive.’  

Danniella returned to the soap in September 2009 for a year, then returned for a final time as Sam in 2016 for a short four episode stint. 

Iconic: The daughter of Peggy Mitchell, made her first appearance in 1990, originally played by Danniella, 48, but was replaced by Kim in 2002, due to her off screen difficulties

Good luck! In a post to Instagram earlier this month Danniella confirmed that she had not been recast as she gave her well wishes to the then, unknown actress

In a post to Instagram earlier this month Danniella confirmed that she had not been recast as she gave her well wishes to the then, unknown actress.  

In the sweet post, she penned: ‘The @bbceastenders have not contacted me to say they are re casting or if they have. But that’s ok. Who plays Sam next I wish all the luck in the world to. Enjoy.’ 

This comes as Danniella, who was admitted to hospital earlier this month, admitted she’s spent a lot of time alone recently ‘working on myself and my spiritual side’ after cutting ‘deadbeats and energy draining people out of my life’.

The actress said that she was ‘more than ready’ as she promised to be ‘back to my best and fighting fit next year’ in a post to Instagram earlier this week. 

Past troubles: The star has had surgery after her substance misuse caused the complete erosion of her nasal septum, she said this week that she had been ‘working on myself’

The former Celebrity Big Brother housemate, who publicly battled cocaine addiction throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, posted a picture of herself as she walked the red carpet at the 2009 TV Quick and TV Choice awards on social media on Thursday afternoon.   

Alongside to photo she penned: ‘Can’t wait for all my surgery to be done, will be back to my best and fighting fit and next year I will be 50! Bring it on, I’m ready. More than ready, I’m ready for a full transformation physically. 

‘I’ve spent a lot of time alone the last six months. I’ve been working on myself and my spiritual side has already begun evolving,I’ve cut the deadbeats and energy draining people out of my life. And I am ready to get busy living. And busy working. 

‘I have a feeling it’s all going to work out just fine #thewestie #lifeisbeautiful #getbusyliving #gratitude #letsgetmarriedagain #whoknew.’

Danniella’s reps have been contacted for comment. 

Optimistic: The actress said that she was ‘more than ready’ as she promised to be ‘back to my best and fighting fit next year’ in a 2009 throwback post, following a hospital stay