“I want to play a mega-bitch on Emmerdale!” says EastEnders legend Danniella Westbrook
As the first EastEnders actress to play Phil and Grant Mitchell’s youngster sister, Sam, Danniella Westbrook’s life changed overnight when she made her first appearance on the soap in July 1990, having been cast in the role at the tender age of 16.
Her Walford alter ego would go on to wreak havoc in the Square – though it was the star’s real-life dramas that would dominate newspaper headlines, with Danniella speaking openly over the years about her struggles with addiction.
However, the traditional media image of Danniella is a world away from the down-to-earth mum-of-two that we chat to on the phone, as she talks to Inside Soap on the back of her recent interview for the weekly podcast, Soap From The Box.
If you’re not familiar with the highs and lows of Danniella’s soap career, or perhaps only know what you’ve read in the papers, we urge you to listen to her honest account – not least because it kicks off with the admission that Danniella initially auditioned for the role of Sam so that she could snog Sid Owen, aka Ricky Butcher!
“Yes, Sid knows all about that!” laughs Danniella, as we giggle about her crush on the actor who would later become her on-screen husband. “But once we started working together, there was no attraction and we were just mates.”
“I think we only ever kissed each other twice as Sam and Ricky, because we were always laughing so much!”
After making her last appearance as Sam in 2016 for her mum Peggy’s funeral, it sounds as if Danniella has well and truly put Albert Square behind her. In fact, the self-confessed country girl is chasing a role on a rival soap…
“I’ve wanted to be in Emmerdale for about 25 years!” admits the 47-year-old star, who also enjoyed a stint in Hollyoaks, playing gangster Trudy Ryan in 2015. “I want to marry a Tate, be in the big house and ride horses. I’m definitely cut out for that. I can just be a mega-bitch on that show instead! If I went to Emmerdale, I don’t think I’d ever look back!
“It would be nice to play a character a million miles away from Sam,” adds Danniella. “I want to play
a feisty older woman with two handsome sons as my kids, who are out there bedding everyone in the village. It would be mayhem!”
- Read the full version of our chat with Danniella in this week’s issue – and get even more goss in her brilliant Soap From The Box podcast – listen to it here or search for “Soap From The Box” wherever you get your podcasts!
How to get your weekly copy of Inside Soap
LOCAL SHOPS: As always, the major supermarkets and grocery stores should have the new issue on their shelves – but if you wish to stay closer to home, we’ve been working hard to make sure that local convenience stores have stock as well.
ONLINE SHOP: The major supermarkets can deliver Inside Soap along with your online shopping. Just add it to your basket as you would anything else.
HOME DELIVERY FROM YOUR NEWSAGENT: Many local newsagents run a home-delivery service, and will be happy to deliver a copy to your door every week. Just pop in or ring them to place your order
SUBSCRIBE BY POST: We have fantastic money-saving deals on subscriptions – including free delivery! Get your magazine delivered by post every week, save money and never miss an issue. Click here to find out more, or call 01858 438 863
CLICK TO BUY: See www.magsdirect.co.uk/insidesoap to have this week’s issue of your favourite magazine sent to your home! Order online by Monday at midday and we’ll post-out the new issue, first class. You can pre-order future issues too. No contracts, no big commitments!
Postage and packaging costs apply.
SUBSCRIBE ON YOUR PHONE OR TABLET: Have the latest issue sent to your device every Tuesday, and at a great discount. Just log on to www.hearstmagazines.co.uk/inside-soap-magazine-subscription. Select “Digital”, choose your deal, order, and your confirmation email will click you through to the world of Inside Soap, right in the palm of your your hand!
BUY A SINGLE ISSUE ON PHONE OR TABLET: You can purchase single issues on our app for iPhone or iPad, Google Play and Kindle, or via Zinio.
GET THE MAGAZINE FOR YOUR PC, MAC OR LAPTOP: Want to read the magazine on a bigger screen? Our Zinio and Pocketmags editions can be viewed on your computer, as well as on their apps for phones and tablets.
Published at Wed, 28 Apr 2021 07:00:00 +0000
Article source: https://www.insidesoap.co.uk/interviews/i-want-to-play-a-mega-bitch-on-emmerdale-says-eastenders-legend-danniella-westbrook/