Latest news with #DanniellaWestbrook
Wales Online
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Danniella Westbrook 'regrets' taking drugs
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. Article continues below "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."
Daily Mirror
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Danniella Westbrook confesses her biggest regret as she looks back on her troubled past
Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook says she doesn't have any career regrets, but drugs will "always" be her biggest regret, as she's opened up about her past Danniella Westbrook, the ex-EastEnders actress known for her portrayal of Sam Mitchell, has lived a life that's been anything but dull, filled with dramatic twists and turns. Yet, she confesses there's only one aspect of her past she truly laments. In an exclusive conversation with Daily Star in partnership with the 51 year old star opened up about her journey, asserting she harbours no regrets about her career despite its rollercoaster nature since her days as a teenage sensation. "Drugs will always be my biggest regret," she disclosed frankly. "But other than that, no. No career regrets as such." This admission may come as a surprise to some followers, considering her notorious history of personal challenges. Westbrook, who has faced her demons in the public eye, including numerous rehab stints, maintains she doesn't believe in harbouring regrets. She mused to the Daily Star: "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 television personality has been open about her cocaine addiction which began in her teens. Although Westbrook has experimented with heroin, she acknowledges that cocaine was her primary vice. Her addiction notoriously ravaged her nasal septum and led to several rehabilitation programmes. However, she's now committed to putting her turbulent history behind her whilst concentrating on her professional pursuits and fresh projects. Danniella is setting her sights on what lies ahead and revealed her aspirations. She disclosed: "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."
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Danniella Westbrook reassures fans she's 'in a good place' after sharing worrying post admitting she 'hates herself' and 'doesn't have anymore battles left in her'
Danniella Westbrook has reassured fans that she's 'in a good place' after sharing a worrying post on Instagram on Sunday admitting she 'hates herself' and 'doesn't have anymore battles left in her'. The former EastEnders star, 51, was said to have uploaded a now-deleted video of herself crying as she expressed her fears of having an infection following her latest operation. While she also told how she was forced to stay in the house for 'hours' because her boyfriend Chasa Symonds went to visit his child without leaving her a key, meaning she didn't have a means to let herself back inside. However, Danniella's management team have now shared an update on the actress, revealing that she's 'great and thriving', noting that there's 'no worries'. Taking to Instagram stories on Monday, talent agent RIB Entertainment shared a snap of the ex soap star, writing: 'Just a quick update for anyone wondering - our amazing client Danielle Westbrook is doing great and thriving! 'No worries, she's in a great place and shining as always. Thanks for all the love and support!' They later shared a further update confirming Danniella had many 'exciting' things in the works, remarking: 'Big week ahead with Danielle - loads of exciting things in the pipeline! Can't wait to share it all with you.' The talent agency also added an image to their grid of Danniella backstage at a TV interview, alongside the words: 'A woman who's lived in the spotlight, battled storms in silence, and still stands strong. Actress. Mother. Survivor. Her story isn't over — it's just getting powerful.' Meanwhile, another story shared by Danniella herself contained a quote which read: 'You can either shrink or you can rise. Think like a boss'. The post was captioned with the message: 'Danniella sends her apologies and has gone away to rest and recover alone before she starts her new role in August.' In the deleted video, viewed by MailOnline, Danniella told how following her recent surgery, she wanted to stay in hospital because she was scared she'd contracted a serious infection. Earlier this month, Danniella revealed she was getting her 'face rebuilt' as she headed into 'very long' surgery two years after admitting she hated the results of her last facial reconstruction. As she sobbed to the camera, she told how she had applied a filter because she 'hates how she looks and hates herself'. She then she said that her partner Chasa had come with her to the hospital and had been her 'knight in shining armour'. The clip saw the TV personality then revealing she was not feeling well and needed to go back to the hospital, but Chasa was going to Croydon and couldn't take her. After initially declaring that she'd instead get the tube, Danniella told how Chasa did take her in the end and stayed with her, with medics informing her that she had an infection. Danniella explained that when she was home, Chasa went to take his kid out, with the star stating that if he was ill, she would have stayed with him. The talent agency also added of Danniella: 'A woman who's lived in the spotlight, battled storms in silence, and still stands strong. Actress. Mother. Survivor. Her story isn't over — it's just getting powerful' She said that he left her in the house alone for hours and she couldn't go out as he wouldn't leave her a key and therefore, she could not get back in The video then saw her break down again, saying she doesn't have 'anymore battles left In her'. Earlier in June, the Sam Mitchell actress revealed she's finally getting her face rebuilt as she heads into 'very long' surgery. Danniella has in the past undergone various reconstructive operations in a bid to fix her 'collapsing' face due to her previous cocaine addiction and osteoporosis. In 2023, she admitted that she hated the results of the facial reconstruction she had that year, having up until that point waited seven years to find a surgeon willing to do the operation due to the condition of her septum. And taking to Instagram, Danniella shared an image of herself clad in a hospital gown while new boyfriend Chasa Symonds held her hand, noting that it was a 'big day' for her as she prepared to go under the knife once again. She penned: 'Big day for me heading down for a very long surgery right now to rebuild my face. Then I can get back to work and we can get on with our life together @chasarealtal. I love you x.' In another story, she expressed her love for her partner amid his support for her after he expressed on Instagram how 'proud' her was of her amid her impending operation. Danniella wrote: 'Thank you babe, you have been beside me every step of the way, see you when I wake up xxx.' Earlier in June, the Sam Mitchell actress revealed she's finally getting her face rebuilt as she heads into 'very long' surgery [pictured in 2023] The actress' battle with drugs has been well-publicised, her nose was reconstructed after her septum collapsed from excessive cocaine use (left in 2009 and right in 2023) Meanwhile, boxer Chasa, whom it was reported last month that Danniella is 'ready to marry', uploaded a video in which he praised the soap star amid her upcoming procedure. Speaking into the camera, he said: 'Just want to say thank you to everyone for the support towards Danniella. This is something that she wanted to do for herself, it's been a long time coming. 'I love her for her, I met her for her.. She's beautiful inside and out. This is something she wants to do for herself.' Remarking on the trolling she's received, he continued: 'She's changed her mobile number, I'm going through the messages on Instagram before she sees them, deleting and blocking the haters, it's what we've got to do.' Getting back to her surgery, Chasa went on: 'It's exciting times, it's gonna be a long day. She will update you when she's ready, it's down to her. I'm not here to speak about anything or talk about anything, that's her. So just from me and from Danniella, thank you all for the supportive messages, we love you and she'll be back to you very soon. It's gonna be a long day!' Captioning his post, alongside the sentiments included in his video, Chasa also shared a powerful message which read: 'Be thoughtful, remember everybody can slip in life it's how you come back. Don't put someone down, bring them up if you can.' Danniella may have finally found her happy ending at the age of 51 with new love Chasa, who she has been friends with for seven years and has called 'the love of her life'. The former EastEnders star was previously married to Ben Morgan between 1998 and 1999 and then Kevin Jenkins from 2001 to 2014, while she also dated Brian Harvey from 1991-1995 at the height of his band East 17's fame. But after a string of failed relationships, Danniella appears to have finally found the one in bareknuckle boxer Chasa, 42, whom she's called her 'soulmate'. The pair reportedly began as friends after meeting in a Croydon pub, and had known each other for six years before deciding to take their relationship to the next level. At the start of May, Danniella dropped hints about her romance with the retired professional welterweight boxer as she shared a video of the two larking around together, captioning her post: 'We like to laugh.' The post was met with a plethora of comments from fans encouraging her potential new romance, with both Danniella and Chasa responding with red heart emojis. Days later, the TV star hinted that the romance was getting serious on Instagram where she shared snaps from her Greek getaway with Chasa. This was confirmed by Chasa himself, who wrote on Instagram: 'Sometimes that one friend is just too good to let go.' Danniella may have finally found her happy ending at the age of 51 with new love Chasa, who she has been friends with for seven years and has called 'the love of her life' [pictured this month] They also shared loved-up, smiley snaps of the pair enjoying a coffee, captioning the post: 'Perfect end to the night ❤️ the pictures tell the story.' Later during the holiday, Chasa confirmed to his Instagram followers that he had asked Danniella to be his girlfriend, with the Sam Mitchell star writing in the comments that it was the 'easiest yes I've ever said.' They've since shared a plethora of romantic pictures and videos as they've continued to see each other, with the pair enjoying dates at the likes of Canvey Island and a safari. Danniella, who rose to fame on EastEnders, is in a 'love bubble' with 'Chasa Real Talk', following her highly publicised personal struggles. An insider told OK! magazine: 'Danniella feels that she's found her soulmate. Chasa doesn't judge her one bit and doesn't care what has happened in her past. 'He understands all about the issues she's been through but is supportive – he just wants to make her happy. 'She's really smitten and feels like she can trust him, which is a really big deal for her.'
Scottish Sun
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Danniella Westbrook seen in bandages after surgeons use cartilage from her rib to fix her nose in life changing op
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DANNIELLA Westbrook has undergone surgery to rebuild her face - with surgeons using cartilage from her rib to fix her nose. The former EastEnders actress was seen with a bandage over her nose following the procedure. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Danniella Westbrook has undergone surgery to rebuild her face - with surgeons using cartilage from her rib to fix her nose Credit: BackGrid 7 She underwent the procedure on Thursday Credit: BackGrid 7 Danniella abused the drug so badly that her septum - the cartilage that separates the two nostrils - fell out Credit: BackGrid 7 The star was supported by her boyfriend, bare knuckle fighter, Charlie Symonds after the op Credit: BackGrid Danniella, 51, was supported by her boyfriend, bare knuckle fighter, Charlie Symonds after the op. The surgery saw doctors removing cartilage from her rib to help perform a bone graft across the bridge of her nose. She underwent the procedure on Thursday and told her fans: 'Big day for me heading down for a very long surgery right now to rebuild my face. 'Then I can get back to work.' A source said: 'Danniella is recovering after the surgery and is being supported by Charlie. 'She is so grateful for the support from her fan base.' Danniella got hooked on drugs aged 14 after shooting to fame as Sam Mitchell in the BBC One soap. She said she wasted £250,000 on cocaine, was so badly addicted to the drug that she took five grams a day while pregnant with her son Kai. Danniella abused the drug so badly that her septum - the cartilage that separates the two nostrils - fell out. Former EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook in Turkey as she prepares to go under the knife for boob job In 2023, Danniella opened up about her stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 and said she was struggling with her addiction then. She said: 'When I went on Big Brother my kids were thinking 'oh my God how's she going to be?' 'Because I went on there doing 11 grams of gear [cocaine] a day.' She got clean before relapsing again a year later and said: 'I'm an addict and the wheels fell off. I was dabbing cocaine in my mouth and rubbing it around my gums to numb the pain. 'People think I was hoovering cocaine up my nose again but I wasn't. I was wiping it around my gums.' In 2021, she faced another relapse but got clean again. Since then Danniella has spent over £500,000 rebuilding her face and in 2023 travelled to Turkey for her fifth facial reconstruction surgery, undergoing a surgical thread lift. The procedure involved them putting 1,200 threads into her face, and then liposuction to remove fat from her body and put it into her cheeks and lips to make her face more symmetrical. 7 In 2023, Danniella opened up about her stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 and said she was struggling with her addiction then Credit: Splash 7 The star was pictured leaving the hospital Credit: BackGrid
The Irish Sun
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Danniella Westbrook seen in bandages after surgeons use cartilage from her rib to fix her nose in life changing op
DANNIELLA Westbrook has undergone surgery to rebuild her face - with surgeons using cartilage from her rib to fix her nose. The former EastEnders actress was seen with a bandage over her nose following the procedure. 7 Danniella Westbrook has undergone surgery to rebuild her face - with surgeons using cartilage from her rib to fix her nose Credit: BackGrid 7 She underwent the procedure on Thursday Credit: BackGrid 7 Danniella abused the drug so badly that her septum - the cartilage that separates the two nostrils - fell out Credit: BackGrid 7 The star was supported by her boyfriend, bare knuckle fighter, Charlie Symonds after the op Credit: BackGrid Danniella, 51, was supported by her boyfriend, bare knuckle fighter, Charlie Symonds after the op. The surgery saw doctors removing cartilage from her rib She underwent the procedure on Thursday and told her fans: 'Big day for me heading down for a very long surgery right now to rebuild my face. 'Then I can get back to work.' More on Danniella Westbrook A source said: 'Danniella is recovering after the surgery and is being supported by Charlie. 'She is so grateful for the support from her fan base.' Danniella got hooked on drugs aged 14 after shooting to fame as Sam Mitchell in the BBC One soap. She said she wasted £250,000 on cocaine, was so badly addicted to the drug that she took five grams a day while pregnant with her son Kai. Most read in Celebrity Danniella abused the drug so badly that her septum - the cartilage that separates the two nostrils - fell out. Former EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook in Turkey as she prepares to go under the knife for boob job In 2023, Danniella opened up about her stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 and said she was struggling with her addiction then. She said: 'When I went on Big Brother my kids were thinking 'oh my God how's she going to be?' 'Because I went on there doing 11 grams of gear [cocaine] a day.' She got clean before relapsing again a year later and said: 'I'm an addict and the wheels fell off. I was dabbing cocaine in my mouth and rubbing it around my gums to numb the pain. 'People think I was hoovering cocaine up my nose again but I wasn't. I was wiping it around my gums.' In 2021, she faced another relapse but got clean again. Since then Danniella has spent over £500,000 rebuilding her face and in 2023 travelled to Turkey for her fifth facial reconstruction surgery, undergoing a surgical thread lift. The procedure involved them putting 1,200 threads into her face, and then liposuction to remove fat from her body and put it into her cheeks and lips to make her face more symmetrical. 7 In 2023, Danniella opened up about her stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 and said she was struggling with her addiction then Credit: Splash 7 The star was pictured leaving the hospital Credit: BackGrid 7 Danniella has spent over £500,000 rebuilding her face Credit: BackGrid
