Danniella Westbrook has said that she was left "shocked" by the decision of EastEnders producers to recast her character Sam Mitchell.
The 48-year-old originated the role of Sam, sister of Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant (Ross Kemp), in 1990 - appearing on and off thereafter, most recently in 2016 for the funeral of matriarch Peggy (Barbara Windsor).
Sam was previously recast with Kim Medcalf between 2002 and 2005 while Westbrook battled drug addiction, and in a shock announcement last week, the soap revealed that Sam would be back in Walford with Medcalf in the role once again.
"I've been known as Sam Mitchell for 32 years. But nobody at EastEnders contacted me to let me know they had recast Kim in the role," Westbrook told The Sun.
"There wasn't even an email to my agent. I was shocked because they do have a responsibility to tell me and someone should have."
She added: "The bosses have seen me go through addiction and they have no idea where I am today.
"Thankfully I'm OK. But if I hadn't been it could have had very serious consequences for me."
Sam will make her Walford return in scenes airing later this spring.
Neil Wilkes
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