Danniella Westbrook is rumoured to be making a sensational return to Albert Square as troubled Sam Mitchell.
Following the New Year double death of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell the family is depleted on its quota of blonde bombshells so it could be the ideal opportunity for Danniella to rejoin the clan.
A source told The Sun Online: “Danniella would be overjoyed to return to EastEnders and reprise her role as Sam Mitchell. It feels the perfect time.”
After Ronnie and Roxy drowned in a tragic accident on New Year’s Day, widower Jack Branning has been left to bring up three children on his own – one of which, Ricky, is Sam’s son who she abandoned when she was in town for Peggy’s funeral.
As Jack struggles to cope with the kids and his grief, could Sam be the tonic he needs to help him care for the children and move on with his life?
Read more: Jack Branning moves on from wife Ronnie rather quickly
Although she’s yet to make an official comment, Danniella herself has dropped some pretty big hints on social media that she’s coming back to the show.
Displaying her newly dyed blonde locks on Instagram, Danniella commented: “Oh and just so ya all know … IM BLONDE AGAIN …. Hmmmm Wonder why 🙈🙈🙈😘👸👸😜 #Time2Work#ShesBack #blondemeansbusiness”.
Danniella’s made no secret of her desire to return to the soap on a permanent basis after her four episode stint last year.
She wrote on Instagram at the time: “It’s such a shame I won’t be going back to the show as I think people would of loved to see Sam as a mum and with a different take on the character… But I don’t write the show I just do what they tell me.
“And they’ve done what they always do use Sam when she’s needed & then send her off in a black cab. I wish @bbceastenders would listen to the public more. But either way I’m grateful of the 4 episodes I got to film.”
The end of last year was a bit of a nightmare for Danniella after she was made homeless just before Christmas.
Read more: Danniella Westbrook loses her home
But things seem to be looking up as she was snapped leaving an estate agents recently. A return as Sam Mitchell could really start 2017 with a bang.
Unfortunately though, an EastEnders’ spokesperson has denied the recent claims of her return, explaining: “There are no current plans” for Sam to come back. What a shame!