Danniella Westbrook (Sam Mitchell, 'EastEnders')

EastEnders returnee Danniella Westbrook reprised her role as original Mitchell sister Sam on September 4 when Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) swanned back into The Vic with her in tow, much to the shock of her brother Phil (Steve McFadden) and mother Peggy (Barbara Windsor). Since her comeback, Sam's been the thorn in Bianca's (Patsy Palmer) side as Sam and Ricky quickly rekindled their romance. However, within the first two weeks of her screen reappearance, it was confirmed that Danniella is to leave the BBC soap at the end of the year when her planned story arc reaches its climax. We recently caught up with Danniella to chat about returning to EastEnders, Sam and Jack and what's to come beyond her latest stint with the show.

How pleased have you been with the return?
"To be honest, I've been over the moon with it. Although it's been a lot of work, it's been really, really good for me. Every time Sam's come back before, she hasn't had much to do, so it's been great that they've really thrown her in there. It's been fantastic."

Story-wise, what were your initial thoughts? Were you happy that it was just for three months?
"I didn't ever expect to come back, so it was a really nice surprise to be asked. I was really happy with just the three months to fulfil the storyline and get some closure on it. Then maybe who knows what'll happen next year."

To set the record straight, was your comeback contract only ever three months?
"Yeah, it was initially three months but then we've just extended for another month so we could see the storyline through properly. We couldn't get it all in the first three and I was happy to carry on."

Have you watched any of your comeback scenes?
"No, because when they aired, I was on holiday and since I've been back, I'm straight back into work and have been working quite late a lot of the time. I don't watch myself back on television at all, though!"

What's it been like working back with Sid and Patsy?
"It's been great. It's just been really easy with Sid because we worked together from such a young age, I know him so well and how he works. I love him to bits. It's the same with Patsy, too."

Was it difficult to start working at EastEnders again?
"I was a bit nervous when I first came back because I hadn't done anything for ten years, so it was difficult to come back and work. Steve's really looked after me and Barbara's been really supportive. Because we work so quickly and fast here, you don't really have much time for nerves – you just have to get on with it. I just thought, 'it's now or never', so I went for it and decided I'd see how it went."

Jack and Sam – what's going on between them?
"Sam ends up getting a job at R&R but Peggy and Phil aren't happy at all. She doesn't have any money, so she's happy to have a job. Sam then moves into Pat's, which doesn't go down well with Bianca. Tiffany putting toothpaste in Sam's hairbrush is the final straw and Sam decides that she and Ricky should get a place together. [But] when Sam realises how much the kids mean to Ricky, she decides that she should move back into The Vic.

"The only way she can do that, though, is by giving Jack the advance on her wages back and quitting her job that she's not even started. When she goes around there, they end up kissing and things turn steamy."

Presumably it's lust?
"I think she quite fancies him and it is quite lustful, but it'll never go anywhere. Jack loves Ronnie."

Do you think Sam's grown up a lot in the years that she's not been there?
"She has, but everyone expects her to be a certain way so she plays on that hugely and carries on in the same old way she used to be. But when push comes to shove, she can be a totally different person."

Why has Sam struck up a friendship with Janine? Surely Sam knows she's bad news?
"I don't know! Why would she?! I think because Sam knew her as a little girl growing up, she hasn't seen what she's done over the years and how conniving she can be. Also, Sam doesn't have that many people that like her, so when she finds someone that does, she'll cling to them! Sam soon starts to realise that all's not what it seems with her, though."

There are some touching scenes with Liam coming up, too.
"Yeah, the scene we have together is quite sweet, especially because Sam doesn't usually do children. It's so unlike her, which is why it was so good to play. James [Forde] is such a great kid. He's the same age as my little boy and he's a really nice, centered child. He's very professional, knows his lines and we have a great time on set together."

Are you a little upset that you'll not be around for the 25th anniversary?
"I'd have liked to have been around for it, but with the story, it just wouldn't be possible. What they have planned for it is fantastic, so I'll definitely be watching!"

Would you have enjoyed doing the live episode?
"I think it'd be scary as hell! It's different if you're presenting something live but following a story live, you'd have to be on the button. There's such a great team here, though. Everyone works so hard together and we have such a brilliant time. I can imagine that there'd be a buzz on the night."

What do you hope to do beyond EastEnders? Do you have any other projects lined up?
"I have another job starting the week I leave EastEnders which takes me through to March. I can't say what it is, but it's something completely different. Then I have some other jobs that are running alongside of each other. Then from March onwards, I don't know!"

> Click here to read more from Danniella Westbrook in Soap Scoop