EastEnders legend talks mighty return to BBC soap as big star set to take over Queen Vic
EXCLUSIVE: Danniella Westbrook says she’ll only return to EastEnders if Sam Mitchell takes over the Queen Vic and vows to bring back the grit and glamour of Peggy’s reign
A huge soap legend eyes up a BBC return(Image: BBC)
A huge EastEnders legend has revealed the one condition that could tempt her back to EastEnders — and it’s a big one.
Danniella Westbrook, 49, who first joined Albert Square in 1990 as Sam Mitchell, has admitted she’d only be interested in returning to Walford if her iconic character was handed the keys to the Queen Vic.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star in collaboration with casino.org, Danniella said: “I’d only go back if they gave Sam Mitchell the Queen Vic. If they put Sam behind the bar and made her the next Peggy, I’d go back.
“But if they didn’t, I’m not interested. The show needs some great matriarchs again, and they don’t have loads now, do they? I know they’ve got Tish [Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon] and Denise. But yeah, I’d consider it if Sam Mitchell was back running The Queen Vic.”
Danniella wold love to run the Queen Vic(Image: PA)
The actress, who has played Sam on and off for more than three decades, believes taking over the famous pub could inject some much-needed grit back into the BBC soap.
“If Sam were running the Vic, she’d be a lot like Peggy, I think,” she explained. “But I think she’d have poker nights and all sorts going on.”
Danniella also hinted that if she did return, her version of Sam would look very different to the portrayal viewers have seen in recent years from actress Kim Medcalf, who currently plays the role.
“I think if she came back, she’d have to come back a bit differently, because the other girl who plays her does it so differently,” Danniella said. “The way I play Sam and the way she plays Sam, it’s like two completely different characters. Even the writing changes. What they write for her and what they write for me are like two different personalities.”
Danniella plays Sam Mitchell on the soap(Image: Unknown)
Comparing the two portrayals, she added: “Kim plays her a lot posher, not as East End, not as flirty, she’s more middle-class in her version. Whereas my Sam is more brassy, more cheeky.”
The Mitchell family have long been at the heart of EastEnders, with Barbara Windsor’s Peggy Mitchell ruling the roost at the Queen Vic for years. Danniella is convinced that giving Sam the same power could revive some of that magic.
And while fans remain divided over which actress they prefer in the role, one thing’s for sure, the sight of Sam Mitchell pulling pints behind the bar would be one almighty return.
