Danniella Westbrook has been photographed enjoying some downtime by a hotel pool in Dubai, as she continues her recovery from a series of extensive and gruelling facial reconstruction surgeries. The former EastEnders actress, aged 52, was seen wearing a baby pink halterneck bikini, taking a brief dip to cool off in the sunshine.
A Long Journey of Reconstructive Procedures
Westbrook has undergone multiple operations in Dubai to rebuild her face, which was severely damaged by years of drug abuse. Her latest round of surgery included a full face, neck, and brow lift, along with lip and nose reconstruction. This comes just months after a previous operation in June to repair her nose, which had been destroyed by her cocaine addiction, leading to a destroyed septum.
Recovery Challenges and Public Scrutiny
In new photos, Westbrook appears to be struggling as she tries to lounge on sunbeds, with bandages still wrapped around her head. Her face shows visible signs of recovery, including puffy and bruised eyes, as well as swelling around her cheeks. She has openly discussed the emotional toll of her appearance, revealing that she faces constant trolling and hurtful messages online.
"I hate the way I look. I’m constantly made fun of, and trolled for it," Westbrook said. "People message me, saying: 'You’re so ugly, you’re a junkie, you should just go and kill yourself.'" She added that some have even expressed relief that she is not returning to EastEnders, citing concerns about her appearance frightening children.
Medical Complications and Near-Death Experience
Westbrook has faced significant health challenges beyond the surgeries themselves. She disclosed that she nearly died following a botched operation and has suffered from severe osteoporosis since 2015, a condition that weakens bones. This led to her cheekbones "wasting away," leaving her with screws for teeth at one point.
In 2018, she explained the complexities of her treatment: "They need to take a piece of bone out of my skull and put a plate into my face but they’ve got nothing to stick the plate on at the minute because the bone’s not strong enough." She described being taken to a dentist multiple times due to extreme pain, a procedure that was not standard practice.
Progress and Future Plans
Despite the setbacks, Westbrook remains optimistic about her recovery. In an Instagram post last month, she praised her surgeon, Dr. Parviz Sadigh, writing: "A massive amount of love and respect to my Amazing surgeon @parvizsadigh for all his hard work. Every day I grow and glow. Thank you and roll on Feb for the next operation."
In 2025, she decided to undergo further facial surgery and later reported positive progress from her doctors. "Today, I got the amazing news that I’m officially clear to move on to stage 2 of my recovery," she wrote. "Despite a rough patch with an infection (which was a known risk), my doctors are happy with how everything’s going – and that means everything to me."
Westbrook's journey highlights the long-term physical and emotional impacts of drug abuse, as well as the resilience required to undergo such extensive medical procedures. Her story continues to unfold as she works towards full recovery in Dubai.
