When rumours emerged that EastEnders were bringing back Sam Mitchell but not Danniella Westbrook, the original actress accepted the decision.
Revealing that no one from the soap had been in contact with her, Danniella, who first played Sam aged 16 more than three decades ago, wished the best of luck to whoever would be playing the iconic character.
Commenting on the news over on her Instagram, Danniella wrote: "The @bbceastenders have not contacted me to say they are re casting or if they have. But that’s ok. Who plays Sam next I wish all the luck in the world to. Enjoy. #outwiththeoldinwiththenew."
However, the mood changed when it was confirmed that Kim Medcalf would be taking over the role of Phil and Grant Mitchell's younger sister for a second time.
Lashing out, the snubbed star claimed the BBC soap would be hearing from her 'legal team' and warned she would drop bombshell secrets that she has 'never ever told' in her upcoming book.
But Danniella has always shown respect towards Kim, who she approached on a red carpet at an awards show a decade ago.
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During Danniella's third spell on the soap, her contract was not renewed by the BBC at the end of 1999 after producers grew tired of her unreliability.
When the decision to bring Sam back two years later was made, Danniella was still struggling with her drug problems so EastEnders bosses decided to recast the role with a new actress
Their usual audition process was changed as they kept the identity of the character the actresses were auditioning for 'top secret'.
Explaining how she discovered what the role was, Kim said: "They kind of sat me down and said 'actually we haven't been 100% truthful here, this [audition] is not for...a new character at all, it's for the part of Sam Mitchell. Do you know who she is?' and I said, 'yes of course I do!'
Kim admitted she had reservations about taking on the role that was associated with Danniella but was pleased with her introductory storyline.
"It was scary finding out I'd be taking over someone else's character because you wonder whether the public will accept it," she said at the time. "I loved the show so I just decided to go for it"
When the news was announced, Danniella gave her backing to her replacement by graciously saying: "I wish her all the luck in the world. It's a great part and I'm sure she'll be great."
Kim spent three years in the role before departing, then Danniella made a shock return as Sam in 2009.
This time her contract was actually extended slightly beyond the original three months and her most recent appearance came in February 2016 when she returned for on-screen mum Peggy Mitchell's funeral.
Last year, Danniella revealed that met Kim in person at an awards show 10 years ago and thanked her for "keeping Sam alive".
Last year she praised Kim's portrayal of Sam and confirmed they met up at an awards back ten years ago.
Danniella explained: "I had never seen Kim before, so I went up to her on the red carpet and I said: 'Kim, I just wanted to say well done on the part. I know you took a lot of backlash and everything for stepping in, but you did a fantastic job. You're a very talented actress and thank you for keeping Sam alive, keeping her going'.
"She was a little bit taken aback and said: 'Thank you so much'."
While Danniella may have issues with EastEnders bosses, she has always been full of praise for Kim, who is re-taking over the role again this year.
It has been reported that EastEnders bosses first approached Kim in early 2021 to discuss the possibility of a comeback and she is due to start filming in a few weeks' time.
Danniella let out her frustrations on Twitter when she discovered that Kim was returning as Sam and claimed no one from the soap had contacted her about being replaced.
The unhappy actress wrote: "Wishing Kim the best of luck at @BBCEastenders__ yet again this poor woman has to recreate a Samantha Mitchell as close to my last two recent come backs on the square go smash it darling..x oh but not to @bbceastenders my legal team will be in touch."
The actress then suggested she had "dodged a bullet" while warning about future revelations that would come out.
Daniella added: "Oh but not to @BBCEastEnders my legal team will be in touch to know why when I held the...'@bbceastenders contract too the last two times the character bounced in &out on a ratings or stint. For the record I was never sacked or dismissed and saw out both contracts one of them even being extended for episodes."
"It’s great 2 C the same level of care standards & loyalty 2'@bbceastenders you bang on about having and giving to both new & old members of cast is still going as strong then as it always has… not just me as Sam that needs replacing I’d look closer to the top of the show and cut that dead wood after all it’s all about evolving."
Giving a final warning, she said: "Bet you all can’t wait for my new book now can ya ….. oh it’s gonna go way back to the things I’ve never ever told #beafraidpeople #itsallgood."
Her celebrity pals and followers rushed to the comments section after seeing her post, with many telling Danniella that her role is irreplaceable.
Wayne Lineker penned: "Babe there's only one Sam Mitchell #bringherback."
Back in 2017, Danniella told the Loose Women panel that she had been in talks with EastEnders about a comeback later that year.
"There's a lot of chance of me going back to EastEnders at the moment," she stated on the show.
"I do love EastEnders I just really wish we could film it in Marbella. I'll probably be back there end of this year."
However, an EastEnders representative denied they had been in touch with the star, saying: "There are no current plans for Danniella to return."
Then Danniella backtracked on her claims, insisting on Instagram that she didn't actually want an EastEnders return and was only being polite when she spoke about the soap.
She said: "For the record, I have no interest in going back to EastEnders. I was being polite. I'm busy with new ventures and new beginnings."
The BBC's head of continuing drama, Kate Oates, has revealed she has wanted to bring Sam back for a long time and has promised fireworks.
"The Mitchells are one of the most iconic families in soap, and I have long wanted to bring Sam back into the family fold," she said.
"With Phil potentially facing a long spell inside, Sam arrives back in Walford ready to take what she sees as her rightful place in the Mitchell empire.
"But with strong grudges against Kat, Sharon, Jack and Denise, to name but a few, her return is guaranteed to be explosive…"
While Kim is delighted to be returning to Albert Square for her second stint.
In a statement, Kim said: "When the BBC approached me last year to reprise the role of Sam I was thrilled.
"She's a brilliant character and I can't wait to get back in the Square this spring and work with the amazing cast of both familiar and new faces."
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