
Danniella Westbrook 'regrets' taking drugs
Danniella Westbrook says 'I'm taking some time away' and begs 'please don't'
Danniella Westbrook "regrets" taking drugs.
The 51-year-old actress has been candid about abusing cocaine from her teenage years and has undergone several bouts of reconstructive surgery on her nose to replace her eroded septum as a result of excessive use of the drug, and she has admitted it took her some time to learn from her mistakes.
She told the Daily Star newspaper: "Drugs will always be my biggest regret. But other than that, no. No career regrets as such."
"I just think everything's a learning curve, isn't it? It's about how you deal with it personally and what you learn from it. If you learn from it, that is. I'm one of those people who has to learn from a mistake about 12 times before I can see the light.
"I'm like Dory, forgetting what's happened. But you know, I was like that. Now I listen. I'll listen to the advice given to me."
The former EastEnders star - who shot to fame playing Sam Mitchell on the soap - is on the lookout for new acting roles and is particularly keen to get back on stage.
She said: "I'd like to do more theatre. I think I'd like to play Mama Morton in Chicago. I'd like to do Blood Brothers. I'd like to do something completely different from Sam Mitchell. I don't know, maybe a gangster granny or something like that. I just like to do something completely different."
Danniella previously admitted her drug habit would've killed her if it hadn't been exposed.
Quizzed on whether her drug habits began when she became famous, she said: "They were there, but they weren't as heightened.
"I didn't have as much money as I did when I was working on a big show.
"I already had issues, a lot of preconceived issues as well but really the media saved me if anything more than once.
"By putting me all over the papers, by exposing me in a sense because I had to do something with my life, otherwise I would've ended up dead.
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"For everyone down there's an up, as they say. For me, just being exposed by everything, you've got to look at the positives of it."

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Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Strictly 2025 line-up confirms sixth contestant is social media star
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Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
BBC Strictly Come Dancing confirms YouTube star as sixth contestant
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
YouTube star reveals he's sixth celeb to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing's 2025 series
An EastEnders star and an Gladiator have also signed up READY TO RUMBA YouTube star reveals he's sixth celeb to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing's 2025 series YouTube star George Clarke has signed up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The social media personality, 25, will be swapping the stage for the ballroom dancefloor later this year. Advertisement 2 George Clarke has joined Strictly 2 George hosts the Useless Hotline podcast Credit: Luke Nugent "It hasn't quite sunk in yet, it doesn't feel real," he said, revealing he found out two months ago. "It's been quite alot of biting my tongue." When the news was announced on BBC Radio 1's Going Home show, modest George, who is also known as George Clarkey, said: "I feel like a lot of people are still going to be going, 'Who?'" he laughed. The famous face, who hosts the Useless Hotline podcast, shared his exciting Strictly news on the airwaves this afternoon with hosts Sam and Danni. Advertisement in a BBC press release, George added: "Never thought I'd say this… but I'm doing Strictly! Honestly, I've got no idea what I'm doing but I'm excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.' UK born George began experimenting with social media as a teen and soon built up millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. His Useless Hotline Podcast, which he cohosts with Max Balegde, has spawned a string of live shows across the UK. Quizzed about the most famous in his contacts on Radio 1 this afternoon, he said: "I feel like I don't ask for people's numbers anymore, just their instagram." Advertisement WHO ELSE HAS SIGNED UP? Earlier today, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, 47, was revealed as the fifth signing. Balvinder, who plays Walford matriarch Suki Panesar, was unveiled as the latest name on Good Morning Britain this morning. In the GMB reveal she said: "I can't believe it. Strictly Come Dancing confirm Love Islander, Doctor Who star and former footballer have joined 2025 line up "I'm really really excited I cant stop the butterflies, every time I think about it. Advertisement "I'm hoping to contain it while I'm on the floor." She revealed she's had past experience of dancing and added: "I dabbled a little bit, I did ballroom and Latin as a hobby and really loved it. "When you've got a passion for something you're more inclined to enjoy it." She then confirmed she preferred Latin and was looking forward to the Argentine Tango - and would be continuing her EastEnders role throughout her Strictly stint. Advertisement Yesterday Gladiators' Nitro, ex-Love Islander Dani Dyer, actress Alex Kingston and former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were all named as having signed for the contest. The BBC are expected to reveal the remaining contestants over the coming week.