Danniella Westbrook Stuns Fans With New Look Following Major Surgery: “She’s Back and Beautiful”

Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook has been showered with love and admiration after unveiling the results of her most recent facial surgery in a glamorous new Instagram post.

The 52-year-old, best known for playing Sam Mitchell in the long-running BBC soap, looked radiant and confident in an all-black outfit, featuring glowing makeup and her signature blonde hair styled in a chic half-up, half-down look. Her glam included smoky eyes, a nude lip, and softly contoured cheeks, perfectly complementing her bright smile as she posed beside a white wall.

Sharing the snap with her 125,000 followers, Danniella captioned the post:

“One day at a time, trusting the process and knowing I have the knowledge and the drive to make it work… #shesonherway.”

Within minutes, fans flooded the comments section with supportive and heartfelt messages. One admirer wrote, “She’s back!”, while another commented, “Looking good, lady.” Others praised her resilience and transformation, saying, “You look fantastic, Danniella,” and “Beautiful inside and out.”

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Recovery After a “Very Long” Operation

The post marks a powerful step forward for the actress, who has endured years of health challenges and public scrutiny. Earlier this year, Danniella underwent what she described as a “very long” and complex reconstructive surgery, aimed at rebuilding her facial structure after extensive damage caused by past cocaine addiction.

In June, the actress took to Instagram to update her fans from her hospital bed, writing:

“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.”

Her boyfriend, Charlie Symonds, appeared by her side in the photo, holding her hand as she prepared for the operation. Danniella publicly thanked him for being there “every step of the way,” a gesture that deeply moved her followers.

According to Metro UK, the intricate procedure involved surgeons removing cartilage from her rib to reconstruct her nose and restore symmetry to her face. The star later shared a selfie revealing the results, describing her gratitude and optimism about the healing process (Metro, Sept 2025).

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A Journey of Resilience and Redemption

Danniella’s rise to fame came in the 1990s when she became one of EastEnders’ most recognisable stars. However, behind the scenes, her battle with addiction began when she was just 14 years old. Over the years, she has spoken candidly about her struggles, including spending over £250,000 on cocaine at the height of her addiction and consuming up to five grams a day — even during pregnancy (The Guardian, 2019).

The toll was devastating. Years of drug use led to the collapse of her nasal septum and left her facing numerous reconstructive surgeries. Despite multiple relapses, Danniella has consistently voiced her determination to remain clean and continue rebuilding her life.

Speaking in a past interview with BBC News, she reflected on her recovery:

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’m still here. I’m still fighting, and I’m not ashamed of where I’ve been — only proud of where I’m going.”

Now, with her latest surgery marking a visible turning point, fans and media alike are celebrating her renewed confidence and perseverance.

As one supporter wrote beneath her recent Instagram post:

“You’ve been through so much, and you keep shining brighter. We’re proud of you, Danniella.”

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Sources:

• BBC News, “Danniella Westbrook Opens Up About Addiction and Recovery” (2024)

• Metro UK, “Danniella Westbrook Shows Off Results of Reconstructive Surgery After Long Hospital Stay” (Sept 2025)

• The Guardian, “From Fame to Recovery: Danniella Westbrook on Her Battle With Addiction” (2019)