Daniella Westbrook

[Lady Voldemort]

My dislike of Westbrook is partly due to her past behaviour, although I accept that people can and do come back from drug addiction and turn their lives around (my own sister in law is one of them), but the drugs aside, I have always simply found her to come across as unlikeable. My primary beef though is that she is an absolutely appalling actress and the only time I have ever enjoyed Sam Mitchell was during Kim's stint. Sam's last appearance was beyond hideous and cringeworthy so it doesn't inspire much hope in me for the return.

[Holey]

Not that you should take any notice but on the the dark side (Dorothy Squires) did a poll on the best Sam and Kim Won by a landslide.

[CAEF]

Daniella Westbrook was apparently cast due to her facial resemblance to Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden. I always thought though that Ross and Steve only look vaguelly similar. You can easily tell Phil and Grant apart.

[kitkat1971]

Going against the tide, I don't have a problem with Westbrook coming back.

I do think that Medcalf is the better actress so if this was a longterm return, i'd rather have her but Westbrook is the one with the extensive onscreen history with Windsor, McFadden and Kemp. Even Woma, Symons and Maslen have more history with Dannii than Kim. Don't forget that Kemp shared of all half a dozen scenes (at most) with Medcalf, even Windsor and McFadden spent much of her tenure off the show so when it is just for a few episode, where chemistry between the Mitchell kids as they grieve for their Mother, will be paramount, I do think Westbrook is the better option even if Medcalf had been available.

[EveT1991]

Feb 28, 2016 17:59:45 GMT kitkat1971 said:

Going against the tide, I don't have a problem with Westbrook coming back.

I do think that Medcalf is the better actress so if this was a longterm return, i'd rather have her but Westbrook is the one with the extensive onscreen history with Windsor, McFadden and Kemp. Even Woma, Symons and Maslen have more history with Dannii than Kim. Don't forget that Kemp shared of all half a dozen scenes (at most) with Medcalf, even Windsor and McFadden spent much of her tenure off the show so when it is just for a few episode, where chemistry between the Mitchell kids as they grieve for their Mother, will be paramount, I do think Westbrook is the better option even if Medcalf had been available.

I agree with all of that. 

[EveT1991]

We shouldn't hate an actress for past mistakes. Its not like Daniella is a murderer. She got raped in 1994.

[wallis]

Feb 28, 2016 19:17:24 GMT EveT1991 said:

We shouldn't hate an actress for past mistakes. Its not like Daniella is a murderer. She got raped in 1994.

I don't hate her at all but I think her acting skills are pretty nonexistent!

[Deleted]

Feb 28, 2016 19:17:24 GMT EveT1991 said:

We shouldn't hate an actress for past mistakes. Its not like Daniella is a murderer. She got raped in 1994.

Don't worry MG...I don't think people hate her.

You know what it's like on soap forums, loads of people with loads of different opinions. That's what makes these places so interesting and fun (with a few good natured debates along the way).

[ScrabblyWabbly]

Feb 28, 2016 17:08:34 GMT Lady Voldemort said:

My dislike of Westbrook is partly due to her past behaviour, although I accept that people can and do come back from drug addiction and turn their lives around (my own sister in law is one of them), but the drugs aside, I have always simply found her to come across as unlikeable. My primary beef though is that she is an absolutely appalling actress and the only time I have ever enjoyed Sam Mitchell was during Kim's stint. Sam's last appearance was beyond hideous and cringeworthy so it doesn't inspire much hope in me for the return.

 That's my beef too. I've never taken drugs, but I'm not going to condemn someone for doing so without knowing the motivations behind it. 

But Danielle is simply an atrocious actress, she wouldn't be hired now if she was staring from scratch. She always seems to struggle when she's in the limelight too. I much prefer Kim and I hate the fact that they brought Danielle back over her last time, 

however, I actually think that this is a necessary evil. While I'd much prefer to see Kim, I think bringing her back would be a mockery of the show. Kim's Sam should be left in the past. Sam should return for her mothers funeral, but she needs to stay in the background and should be her final appearance in Walford. She never needs to return after this. 

[ScrabblyWabbly]

One thing i am looking forward to, is having almost all the Mitchell's together for the first time ever

Peggy
Phil
Grant
Sam
Billy
Honey
William
Janet
Ronnie
Matthew
Roxy
Amy
Ben
Louise

The only ones not confirmed at the moment are Courtney, Glenda, Richard, Aunt Sal (honourary Michell) and Mark Jr. I really hope that Mark Jr is the only one missing.

[Deleted]

Feb 28, 2016 17:54:34 GMT CAEF said:

Daniella Westbrook was apparently cast due to her facial resemblance to Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden. I always thought though that Ross and Steve only look vaguelly similar. You can easily tell Phil and Grant apart.

One's a potato, one's a plank it's not brain science

[Hayley]

Prefer Kim Metcalf's version but if it's only for a few episodes I think I can tolerate her, she might be the original doesn't mean she the best.

[ScrabblyWabbly]

Feb 28, 2016 21:37:24 GMT Hayley said:

Prefer Kim Metcalf's version but if it's only for a few episodes I think I can tolerate her, she might be the original doesn't mean she the best.

Yeah I'm prepared to tolerate her, mainly because I'm happy to have Grant back. 

When end on earth are the episodes supposed to air? I thought it'd be the spring, especially with them announcing Ross Keps return a few weeks back. I actually do think they did that on purpose now, purely to push them for a win at the soap award thingy.

[Hayley]

Feb 28, 2016 21:41:08 GMT ScrabblyWabbly said:

Feb 28, 2016 21:37:24 GMT Hayley said:

Prefer Kim Metcalf's version but if it's only for a few episodes I think I can tolerate her, she might be the original doesn't mean she the best.

Yeah I'm prepared to tolerate her, mainly because I'm happy to have Grant back. 

When end on earth are the episodes supposed to air? I thought it'd be the spring, especially with them announcing Ross Keps return a few weeks back. I actually do think they did that on purpose now, purely to push them for a win at the soap award thingy.

I heard May, but could be any-time between March and June, I would of hoped that we'll get a few weeks of episodes, seems a bit sour to have just a week to her dying and Grant returning etc if that is true, just unconfirmed rumours atm. 

As for DW, I can see why they've done even if she is pretty dire as a actress, she current news because of CBB. 

I don't think there is a need for a full Sam return either, as R&R pretty much fill that role. 

[ScrabblyWabbly]

Feb 28, 2016 21:52:11 GMT Hayley said:

Feb 28, 2016 21:41:08 GMT ScrabblyWabbly said:

Yeah I'm prepared to tolerate her, mainly because I'm happy to have Grant back. 

When end on earth are the episodes supposed to air? I thought it'd be the spring, especially with them announcing Ross Keps return a few weeks back. I actually do think they did that on purpose now, purely to push them for a win at the soap award thingy.

I heard May, but could be any-time between March and June, I would of hoped that we'll get a few weeks of episodes, seems a bit sour to have just a week to her dying and Grant returning etc if that is true, just unconfirmed rumours atm. 

As for DW, I can see why they've done even if she is pretty dire as a actress, she current news because of CBB. 

I don't think there is a need for a full Sam return either, as R&R pretty much fill that role. 

I really hope Roxy gets some development when she returns, I'd like to see her become more independent with running Blades by herself. Ronnie needs to go, they've just piled so much on her character that she simply doesn't work anymore.