EastEnders’ Kim Medcalf announces Sam Mitchell’s fate after cancer twist
EastEnders actress Kim Medcalf opened up about Sam Mitchell's breast cancer storyline on The One Show
Kim Medcalf is famed for playing Sam Mitchell in EastEnders (Image: Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
EastEnders’ Kim Medcalf has seemingly confirmed the fate of her iconic character Sam Mitchell, following her recent return to Walford.
Sam was first introduced to the BBC soap as a teenager, with Danniella Westbrook initially portraying the role from 1990 to 2000, then again from 2009 to 2010, and briefly in 2016.
Kim stepped into Sam’s shoes from 2002 to 2005, before making a comeback in 2022, along with other sporadic appearances. However, when Sam returned to EastEnders in December 2025, she raised eyebrows among her family by keeping a secret.
As the younger sister of Walford’s tough guy Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Sam is typically known for her dry wit and cunning plans.
EastEnders’ Sam Mitchell made a return to Walford in December 2025(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
However, it was soon disclosed that she had discovered a lump in her breast and was fearful of seeking medical advice, given her mum, Peggy’s (Barbara Windsor), own battle with breast cancer, reports OK!.
Sam was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, leading her to face off with old rival Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) and lean on her family during her treatment, with her journey serving to raise awareness about breast cancer.
During an appearance on The One Show on Thursday (January 15), Kim discussed her latest EastEnders storyline and confirmed that Sam does receive a “positive outcome” from her cancer treatment, suggesting the character will not be written out of the soap.
Chatting with The One Show hosts Lauren Laverne and Roman Kemp, Kim revealed: “The big thing about this is that she comes back from Spain and she’s found a lump.
Kim Medcalf spoke about her current EastEnders storyline while on The One Show(Image: BBC)
“Her mum has d.i.e.d because of breast cancer, and she just thinks ‘that’s it’, you know, game over, I don’t want to deal with it, it’s going to happen, there’s an inevitability about it.
“But actually, people around her are saying, ‘go and get it checked out’ and she does, and it is breast cancer. But she has a lumpectomy, and it’s a positive outcome.”
She continued, “So I think if we just raise awareness on that, that feels a really great thing to be part of.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
