Danniella Westbrook Leaves Again

21 September 2009

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Daniella Westbrook will leave 'EastEnders' at Christmas.

The actress - who has played feisty blonde Sam Mitchell on and off for nine years - will leave the BBC soap for a fourth time at the end of the year when her current storyline ends.

A spokesman said: "Danniella was brought back to 'EastEnders' for a specific storyline and a set amount of time only.

"We are not going into the exact details of Westbrook's departure as we don't want to spoil the storyline for our viewers but Danniella's contract has not been cut short - in fact it has been extended slightly.

Danniella was brought back to 'EastEnders' for a specific storyline and a set amount of time only.

"We've been thrilled with how Sam Mitchell's return has been received with our audience and hope that they continue to enjoy her storylines over the newt few months."

Despite her planned departure, executive producer Diederick Santer said soap bosses have not ruled out another return for the scantily-clad character.

He told Britain's Daily Mirror: "When Danniella and I first talked about her return, we discussed a particular storyline with a specific length of contract. She has done brilliantly and I hope she will be back with us in the future."

Danniella previously played Sam three times between 1990 and 2000.

She left the soap in 1993 to work on other projects and was reintroduced in 1995.

However, the 35-year-old actress's contract was terminated in 1996 after her cocaine addiction was deemed so severe it affected her acting.

Danniella was given another chance in 1999 but further drug problems meant she was asked to leave again in 2000.

Between 2002 and 2005 the character of Sam was played by Kim Medcalfe.

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