Danniella Westbrook has denied wanting to return to EastEnders, despite earlier claiming in a TV interview that she could be back on the soap by the end of the year. The actress, who played Sam Mitchell, appeared on ITV's Loose Women on Thursday and said she had been in talks with EastEnders about a comeback. However, a representative for the BBC soap denied any contact, stating: 'There are no current plans for Danniella to return.'
Westbrook later backtracked on her claims via Instagram, insisting she does not actually want an EastEnders return and was only being polite. She wrote: 'For the record, I have no interest in going back to EastEnders. I was being polite. I'm busy with new ventures and new beginnings.' This U-turn came after she told Loose Women: 'There's a lot of chance of me going back to EastEnders at the moment. I do love EastEnders, I just really wish we could film it in Marbella.'
Westbrook, 43, has not been seen in Walford since returning for four episodes in June last year for Peggy Mitchell's funeral. She first joined the soap at age 16 in July 1990. During her Loose Women appearance, she was joined by her 20-year-old son Kai Jenkins and discussed the impact of losing a baby on her mental health. She revealed she has borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia, and checked into rehab on Mother's Day after feeling like a 'medicine bottle'.
Westbrook also announced she has opened a bar in Marbella as a joint venture with her son, but stressed she will not run it. 'I'm not going to run it, I'm not going to be Peggy Mitchell. I'm still going to work and act but it's an investment for me and my son. I'm not there every day,' she said.
