Millions of viewers watched Danniella Westbrook grow up on television in the early 1990s, but just a few years later, she was on the brink of death due to her battle with cocaine addiction.
This is the startling story of Danniella Westbrook, one of the most famous soap opera stars in television history.
The Price of Fame
Danniella Westbrook, a beloved figure on EastEnders, captivated audiences with her fiery portrayal of Sam Mitchell. She quickly became one of the most adored soap stars in the UK. However, her rise to fame came at a significant personal cost. Behind the scenes, Danniella struggled with the devastating effects of addiction, which led to broken cheekbones, a collapsed jaw, and decaying bones.
So, how did this talented actress find herself in such a tragic situation?
A Childhood Dream
Born in 1973 in Loughton, a suburb just outside of London, Danniella Westbrook had always dreamed of becoming famous. She began modeling at the age of seven, despite not having a showbiz background—her mother worked as a shop clerk and her father drove a cab.
Her career took off quickly. As a child model, Danniella worked with well-known international brands such as Opel and Coca-Cola. One opportunity led to another, and she soon found herself entering the world of performance, which would ultimately make her a household name.
Danniella also appeared in the West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a child and played a small role in Melvyn Bragg’s London Programme. She even starred in the music video for Queen’s hit song “The Invisible Man” and had a brief appearance in Grange Hill.
Despite her humble beginnings, Danniella’s talent and ambition set her on a path that would make her one of the most recognizable faces on British television. But as her career flourished, her personal struggles were just beginning.
Perhaps the most ironic moment in Danniella Westbrook’s early life came when she roller-skated across Albert Square as a background extra on EastEnders at just eleven years old. Her photo even made it into her local newspaper, accompanied by a caption that read: “Who knows? She might become the show’s star one day!” Little did they know, that prediction would turn out to be surprisingly accurate.
A Dream on the Brink of Realization
Danniella’s childhood dream of becoming famous was on the verge of coming true by the time she turned sixteen. She was cast as Sam Mitchell, the feisty younger sister of Phil and Grant, on EastEnders. After a successful audition, she made her official debut on the soap opera in July 1990.
Her natural charisma and her portrayal of Sam quickly made her a fan favorite, and she became involved in some of the show’s most memorable storylines. However, after just three years, Danniella made the surprising decision to leave in 1993, seeking new acting opportunities outside of EastEnders.
Yet, fame wasn’t done with her. In 1995, producers from EastEnders approached her again, offering her the chance to reprise the role that had made her a household name. This was supposed to be her big comeback. But behind the scenes, Danniella was battling a dangerous and escalating cocaine addiction, one that was beginning to take its toll on both her personal life and her work.
Danniella Westbrook’s struggles began long before she rose to fame. At just 14 years old, she first experimented with cocaine during a night out at a club. Her drug use quickly escalated, and by the time she was 16, she was already a fixture in London’s party scene. Around this time, she landed her iconic role as Sam Mitchell on EastEnders. Danniella later confessed that she used “half a gram” of cocaine “maybe once a week,” revealing how what started as an occasional indulgence rapidly turned into a full-blown addiction.
Reflecting on her younger years, Danniella remarked, “Everyone was drinking Coca-Cola in the clubs I frequented, and it seemed glamorous—but it wasn’t at all. I was simply too young, foolish, and easily influenced.” She went on to suggest that newcomers to EastEnders should be warned about the dangers of fame: “When youths arrive at EastEnders, I believe someone should tell them, ‘Look, your life is about to change. You’re going to be invited places, and you’re going to be offered drugs.’”
The financial and personal toll of her addiction was staggering. Danniella admitted to spending over $300,000 on her cocaine habit during her nightclub-centric lifestyle. But the cost was not only monetary. Her addiction began to take a toll on her career. Once a promising young actress, she started arriving late to work, and her behavior became increasingly unpredictable.
In 1995, Danniella’s drug use reached a breaking point, and she checked herself into the Charter Nightingale Clinic in London for treatment. This renowned rehab facility had treated several high-profile celebrities, including Michael Jackson. However, the damage to her personal life was already done. Her relationship with pop singer Brian Harvey disintegrated due to the strain of her escalating substance abuse, marking another painful chapter in her troubled journey.
Danniella’s story is a poignant reminder of how addiction can silently unravel even the most promising lives, with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond just financial costs.
Danniella Westbrook’s descent into addiction began long before she achieved fame. At just 14 years old, she experimented with cocaine during a night out at a club—a decision that would mark the beginning of a long and tumultuous struggle. By the time she was 16, while landing her role as Sam Mitchell on EastEnders, she had already become a familiar face in London’s party scene. What started as a casual indulgence quickly spiraled into a regular habit. Danniella later confessed that she used “half a gram” of cocaine “maybe once a week,” illustrating how her occasional vice turned into a dangerous pattern.
Reflecting on those early years, she remarked, “Everyone was drinking Coca-Cola in the clubs I frequented, and it seemed glamorous—but it wasn’t at all. I was just too young, too naive, and far too easily influenced.” She added that new actors on EastEnders should be warned about the temptations that fame can bring, saying, “Your life is about to change, you’re going to be invited places, and you’re going to be offered drugs.”
The cost of her addiction, both financially and personally, was staggering. Danniella revealed that she spent over $300,000 fueling her drug habit, a sum that only reflects the monetary toll of her lifestyle. The deeper consequences were evident in her deteriorating career. Once a rising star, she began to miss work, showing up late and exhibiting erratic behavior. As her addiction intensified, her future in the entertainment industry seemed uncertain.
In 1995, after her drug use reached a critical point, Danniella checked herself into the Charter Nightingale Clinic in London for treatment. This prestigious rehab center had also been a sanctuary for high-profile celebrities, including the likes of Michael Jackson. Despite her efforts to regain control, the damage had already been done. Her relationship with pop singer Brian Harvey crumbled under the weight of her addiction, adding yet another heartbreaking layer to her already spiraling life.
Danniella’s journey serves as a stark reminder of the hidden battles that many face behind the glossy façades of fame and fortune. While she fought valiantly to reclaim her life, the scars of those early years—physically, emotionally, and financially—remain.
Danniella Westbrook’s struggles have never been limited to the screen or stage—her life beyond the spotlight has been marked by a series of deeply personal and painful battles. Alongside her professional hardships, she has grappled with severe health challenges, both physical and psychological.
In a raw and revealing 2017 appearance on Loose Women, Danniella opened up about her mental health, disclosing that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder. Her candor laid bare the invisible toll her illnesses had taken—a rare glimpse into the mind behind the headlines.
But her health crises didn’t end there. In 2018, following a misdiagnosis, Danniella underwent treatment for what was believed to be womb cancer. Thankfully, she was declared clear of the illness in 2019. Just a few years later, in 2022, she faced another life-threatening scare when sepsis struck suddenly, landing her in intensive care. Thanks to swift medical intervention, she made a full recovery.
Beyond her health, Danniella’s personal life has often mirrored the chaos and drama of a scripted drama. In 1998, she was involved in a horrific car crash that nearly claimed her life. Thrown through the windshield at 85 miles per hour, she suffered brutal facial injuries, including a dislocated eye. Miraculously, skilled surgeons were able to spare her from permanent disfigurement.
Romantically, her relationships have been no less intense. In the 1990s, she was involved with East 17 singer Brian Harvey before beginning a tumultuous relationship with Robert Fernandez, the father of her son, born in 1996. Later that same year—following the near-fatal car crash—she married Ben Morgan, a van driver she had known for just eight weeks. They relocated to Australia, but the whirlwind romance soon ended, and the couple divorced within a year.
In 2001, Danniella married businessman Kevin Jenkins, shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Jodie. For a brief period, it seemed as though Danniella had stepped away from the storm. She appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and even declared in 2003, “I lead a normal life now.” She spoke of doing laundry, school runs, making dinner, and working part-time—a rare moment of domestic calm.
But that calm proved fleeting. Her marriage to Jenkins dissolved in 2014, and though she may have stepped back from acting, Danniella’s life has never settled into what most would call “ordinary.”
Through it all—trauma, tabloid scrutiny, public stumbles—Danniella Westbrook remains defiantly present. Scarred but unbroken, hers is a life lived out loud, marked by chaos, resilience, and a relentless will to keep going.
As of 2025, Danniella Westbrook remains a figure in the public eye—but these days, it’s often her evolving appearance rather than her acting roles that draws attention. Now 51, the former soap star has undergone numerous cosmetic procedures over the years, some of which have come with harrowing consequences.
Last year, after undergoing surgery in Turkey, Danniella experienced agonizing pain that followed her all the way to Portugal. “It was the most excruciating agony I had felt in days,” she shared with followers on Instagram, revealing she required a hospital procedure just to make the trip. “I literally feel like I have a hole in my head,” she added in a brutally candid post.
Criticism from the public has been sharp, with many voicing harsh opinions about her choices. But Danniella hasn’t shied away from the truth—she’s openly expressed anxiety and regret about the aftermath of certain procedures. “I can’t lie,” she admitted, reflecting on the intense swelling she suffered after a round of liposuction, fillers, and Botox. “I honestly thought I was going to explode.”
Yet not all of her surgeries have been for vanity. Years of drug abuse left irreversible damage, forcing her to have her jaw surgically rebuilt after the bones began to disintegrate. Reflecting on the toll her addiction has taken, she confessed, “I just don’t look like me anymore.” The impact of substance abuse has accelerated her aging and left behind physical reminders that she can’t ignore.
There was even a period when her face dramatically changed—she woke up one morning to find the left side of her face completely sunken, a stark contrast to her once-radiant appearance.
Once celebrated as a beauty icon, Danniella’s journey has been layered with emotional scars and physical trials. Still, she persists—sharing her story, engaging with her followers, and refusing to hide from the spotlight, even when the spotlight isn’t always kind.