Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook has been spotted enjoying a night out in London's exclusive Mayfair district, marking a positive step in her recovery after a recent health scare that saw her hospitalised with breathing difficulties. The 52-year-old television personality stepped out on Wednesday evening accompanied by Married At First Sight UK stars Steven Springett and Divarni Balogun, showcasing her resilience following medical complications.
Health Complications Disrupt Film Comeback
The social outing comes just weeks after Westbrook was rushed to hospital experiencing respiratory problems, a consequence of long-term complications stemming from her collapsed septum. This medical emergency had significant professional repercussions, forcing her to withdraw from her much-anticipated return to acting in the new urban drama Tales From The Trap.
Film Role Reassignment
Westbrook had been cast in a prominent role as a gun-selling gangster grandmother in the gritty south London drama, which explores county lines gang culture and drill music scenes. The film marked what would have been her first screen appearance since 2016, but producers were compelled to recast the role following her health issues. Slow Horses actress Kim Tiddy has now taken over the part, with sources close to the production expressing relief at securing such an experienced replacement.
A production insider revealed: 'Danniella was rushed into hospital on Friday with breathing difficulties which meant she had to pull out of filming Tales From The Trap. She was due to make her movie comeback as a gangster granny selling AK47s to gangsters. It's really disappointing as I'm sure everyone was looking forward to seeing her play that part.'
Stylish Recovery Appearance
For her Mayfair outing, Westbrook demonstrated her signature style despite her recent health challenges. She wore a fashionable beige fur coat layered over a graphic t-shirt, complemented by dark blue barrel-leg jeans. The ensemble was completed with a distinctive white and black scarf and chunky trainers, presenting a confident image as she socialised with her reality television companions.
Medical History and Recovery Journey
Westbrook's recent hospitalisation in December represents another chapter in her long-standing health journey. The actress has faced numerous medical challenges over the years, primarily related to her collapsed septum - a condition connected to her past cocaine addiction and osteoporosis. Earlier this year, she underwent what she described as 'very long' surgery to rebuild her face, following previous reconstructive operations that she had expressed dissatisfaction with.
Her health struggles have significantly impacted her career trajectory. After finding fame at just sixteen years old playing Sam Mitchell in BBC's EastEnders, her contract was terminated in 1996 due to cocaine use. Since then, she has made occasional television appearances on shows including Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, where she emerged victorious, I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here in 2003, and Dancing On Ice in 2010.
Film Production Continues
Despite Westbrook's departure from the project, production on Tales From The Trap continues with an impressive cast that now includes Kidulthood star Adam Deacon alongside established actors like Terry Stone, Vas Blackwood, and Frazer Clarke. Producer Terry Stone, known for the Rise of the Footsoldier franchise and other British crime classics, has described the film as 'a powerful modern evolution' of the genre, comparing it to 'Top Boy meets Blue Story on Steroids'.
Stone expressed his enthusiasm for the project: 'I'm beyond excited to finally be making this film. The energy, music and raw truth in this story is something I've wanted to bring to the screen for a long time. We've discovered some fabulous talent and can't wait to share this with our audience.'
As Westbrook continues her recovery journey, her appearance in Mayfair suggests positive progress, though her professional future remains uncertain following this latest health setback that disrupted her planned return to the screen.
