Danniella Westbrook has hit out at the BBC after her replacement as Sam Mitchell was confirmed.
The 48-year old played the notorious character on the long-running soap across several stints between 1990 and 2016.
However, the BBC has confirmed Kim Medcalf will be reprising the role when Sam returns to Walford this year.
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Danniella has now issued a statement and threatened to take legal action following the casting announcement.
She said: "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.
She added in a second tweet: "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."
Kim Medcalf previously played Sam on EastEnders from 2002 - 2005 - and she said she was thrilled to return to Albert Square.
She 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.”
The BBC's head of continuing drama said she can't wait for the troubled character's explosive return to Walford.
Kate Oates said: "The Mitchells are one of the most iconic families in soap, and I have long wanted to bring Sam back into the family fold. 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…”
The BBC has been approached for comment.
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