Reps for former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook have broken their silence after reports the star had been rushed to hospital with breathing problems on Friday (December 5).
The star’s hospitalisation came as she was preparing to make her acting comeback in new movie Tales From The Trap. 52-year-old Danniella, who has now reportedly been recast, was due to play a gun-selling, gangster granny.
However, her agent has confirmed that the actress has stepped back from the role after deciding to put her health first.
Ex-EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook hospitalised
According to reports, Danniella experienced problems with her breathing and was rushed to hospital.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, a source alleged: “Danniella was rushed into hospital on Friday with breath difficulties which meant she had to pull out of filming Tales From The Trap.
“She was due to make her movie comeback as a gangster granny selling AK47s to the gangsters. It’s really disappointing as I am sure everyone was looking forward to seeing her play that part.”
The star hasn’t posted on her Instagram since her reported hospitalisation, but her reps have responded to ED!’s request for comment.
They told us: “Danniella has made the difficult but necessary decision to put her health first. While she was grateful for the opportunity to join the project, the role she was cast in consisted of a single scene at the end of the film. It was less than a minute of screen time and only one page of dialogue. After careful consideration, she felt it was in her best interest to focus on her well-being at this time.
“She wishes the production team every success moving forward. And looks forward to returning to work when the timing aligns with her health and readiness.”
Commenting on her health, Danniella’s rep added: “She’s doing well. She’s where she should be. Surgeons and doctors are happy with her progress. There’s still a way to go but all heading in the right direction. She’s really in a good place.”
‘She’s on her way’
The star’s illness comes a month after she was showered with compliments after unveiling the results of her latest surgery in a glamorous new Instagram post.
In the post, Danniella looked confident and radiant as she posed in an all-black ensemble, complete with glowy makeup and swept-back blonde hair in a half-up, half-down style.
Her makeup look featured a smokey eye, nude lip and sculpted contouring as she stood smiling beside a white wall.
Sharing the snap with her followers, Danniella wrote: “One day at a time, trusting the process and knowing I have the knowledge and the drive to make it work… #shesonherway.”
‘Very long’ operation
The post marked a positive update for the former soap star. Danniella spent time in hospital earlier this year undergoing major facial reconstruction.
Back in June, the actress revealed she was preparing for what she called a “very long” operation aimed at repairing damage caused by years of cocaine addiction. The operation involved surgeons removing cartilage from her rib to rebuild her nose.
Sharing a photo from her hospital bed, she told fans: “Big day for me heading down for a very long surgery right now to rebuild my face. Then I can get back to work and we can get on with our life together.”
In September, Danniella shared the results of the reconstructive surgery with fans in a selfie posted to Instagram.
The actress rose to fame in the 1990s playing Sam Mitchell on EastEnders. She has been open about her long battle with addiction, which began when she was just 14.
Danniella previously admitted to spending more than £250,000 on cocaine and taking up to five grams a day at the height of her drug use, even while pregnant with her son, Kai.
Her addiction led to the collapse of her septum and years of painful reconstructive procedures. Despite multiple relapses, Danniella has been vocal about her determination to stay clean and rebuild her life.
Read more: Danniella Westbrook reveals why she think she is ‘banned’ from Strictly Come Dancing
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