Hospital Dash Ends Danniella Westbrook’s Big Movie Comeback: Actress, 52, Rushed for Breathing Problems Just Days Before Filming Was Due to Begin

Danniella Westbrook has been rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties – forcing her to be recast in her upcoming movie Tales From The Trap

Danniella Westbrook’s long-awaited return to the big screen has been abruptly halted after the former EastEnders star was rushed to hospital with serious breathing difficulties.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, insiders revealed the star, who has not starred in a film or TV show since mid 2016, was forced to seek medical attention on Friday due to her respiratory struggles

The 52-year-old actress had been due to begin filming her comeback role in new gangster movie Tales From The Trap, but producers were forced to recast the part following her sudden health crisis.

Tales From The Trap marked Danniella’s return to the screen, having scooped the role of a gun-selling, gangster granny – yet she has been recast by Slow Horses star Kim Tiddy (Kim pictured in 2006)

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, insiders confirmed that Danniella — who has not appeared in a film or TV role since mid-2016 — was admitted to hospital on Friday after suffering alarming respiratory issues.

Danniella’s former co-star Terry, best known for the Rise of the Footsoldier franchise, Bonded by Blood, Once Upon a Time in London and Rollin’ with the Nines, calls the new film ‘a powerful modern evolution’

Tales From The Trap was set to mark a major return for the star, with Danniella cast as a gun-selling “gangster granny” operating within London’s criminal underworld. She was due to appear opposite Love Island star Liv Hawkins, but has now been replaced by Slow Horses actress Kim Tiddy.

A source close to Danniella revealed:
“Danniella was rushed into hospital on Friday with breathing difficulties, which meant she had to pull out of filming Tales From The Trap.”

“It’s really disappointing because everyone was looking forward to seeing her make her movie comeback in such a powerful role.”

The insider added that producers were relieved to secure a last-minute replacement, explaining:
“Luckily, they were able to replace her with Kim Tiddy, who recently appeared in Slow Horses with Gary Oldman and previously starred in The Bill for many years.”

Kidulthood actor Adam Deacon has also been added to the film’s growing cast.

Danniella, who shot to fame aged just 16 as feisty Sam Mitchell on EastEnders, had been set to star alongside producer and actor Terry Stone, Vas Blackwood, Frazer Clarke, Judith Shekoni and grime MC Amzzino.

The gritty new film explores south London’s county lines gang culture, the drill music scene and the violent realities of inner-city life — marking what Stone has described as his boldest project yet.

Stone, best known for the Rise of the Footsoldier franchise, Bonded by Blood, Once Upon a Time in London, Rollin’ with the Nines, Anuvahood and Shank, described the film as “a powerful modern evolution” of the crime genre.

He said:
“I’m beyond excited to finally be making this film. The energy, music and raw truth in this story is something I’ve wanted to bring to the screen for a long time.”

“Tales From The Trap is essentially Top Boy meets Blue Story on steroids — think of it as Rise of the Hoodsoldier. We’ve discovered some fabulous new talent and can’t wait to share it with audiences.”

Danniella has faced repeated health battles over the years following severe damage to her nasal septum caused by past cocaine addiction, along with complications linked to osteoporosis.

Earlier this year, she revealed she was undergoing another “very long” surgery to rebuild her face after a series of complex reconstructive procedures.

In 2023, she admitted she was unhappy with the outcome of facial reconstruction surgery and had waited seven years before finding a surgeon willing to operate due to the fragile condition of her septum.

Danniella last appeared on television during Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, where she reached the final. She has also previously taken part in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2003, starred on Dancing On Ice in 2010, and later joined Hollyoaks in 2013.

Despite hopes that Tales From The Trap would signal a major career revival, her latest hospital scare has once again placed her health firmly above all else.