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DANNIELLA Westbrook's return to EastEnders will be short-lived - she will be gone by New Year.

The former cocaine addict is set to leave the show for a THIRD TIME - just two weeks after viewers saw her reprise her role as Sam Mitchell.

Last night show bosses confirmed Danniella is on a three-month contract, which will not be renewed. She will leave as part of an explosive storyline at the end of the year.



Young Sam ... Danniella when she first appeared on the show


Her character returned to the BBC soap after nine years on September 4. Sam flew in from Brazil, where she had fled after being implicated in the murder of Dirty Den. But she was soon held by cops and is in jail - hoping to marry ex-hubby Ricky Butcher.

Danniella, 35 - who blew £250,000 on coke - is due to start filming her final scenes in the next few weeks. Those currently being screened were filmed in June. Some critics have blasted her acting. She has said: "It's hard to play Sam now. I found it immensely difficult in my first six weeks back."

A BBC spokesman said: "We've been thrilled with how Sam Mitchell's return has been received with our audience and hope they enjoy her storylines over the next few months."

The Sun