Danniella Westbrook turns to religion: "I have given my life to the Lord"

Danniella Westbrook has revealed that she is a born-again Christian.

The EastEnders actress, who has battled drug addiction in the past, turned to religion to confess her sins after relocating to the US last year.

Ex-Dancing On Ice contestant Westbrook and husband Kevin were introduced to former drug addict-turned-pastor Jay Haizlip by mutual friends and are now regulars at the evangelical Sanctuary Church in California.

Westbrook told the Sunday Mirror: "I have given my life to the Lord. The first time I came to this church, I felt ­something so spiritual and amazing, I wanted to cry. After a few visits I found myself walking up to the altar to ask the Lord for forgiveness for my sins.

"It was an incredible ­experience. I have realised that there have been things I have struggled with, like guilt, that I would have never found a solution for. Because there are things that a therapist cannot give me - that I can only get from Jesus Christ."

Westbrook continued: "I have no interest in being famous anymore unless it can help me to spread God's word. I really think I have been put in this position to help people. God speaks to me in so many ways. I talk to him and it is definitely a two-way conversation."

The soap star added that the faith has helped save her marriage, saying: "I have been clean for ten years and would never [relapse]. Taking drugs would be like killing my kids."

Westbrook briefly returned to her role as Sam Mitchell in EastEnders last year.