*EastEnders star Kim Medcalf discussed her character Sam Mitchell’s breast cancer storyline on The One Show.
EastEnders’ Kim Medcalf appears to have hinted at the fate of her iconic character, Sam Mitchell, following her recent return to Walford.
Sam first appeared on the BBC soap as a youngster, originally played by Danniella Westbrook from 1990 to 2000, with a second stint from 2009 to 2010 and a brief return in 2016.
Kim took over the role from 2002 to 2005 and returned in 2022, making occasional appearances since. When Sam returned to EastEnders in December 2025, she immediately caused concern among her family after keeping a secret.
As the younger sister of Walford tough guy Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Sam is known for her sharp wit and determination, often scheming behind the scenes.
It was later revealed that Sam had found a lump in her breast and had been too scared to see a doctor, especially given that her mother, Peggy (Barbara Windsor), had previously battled breast cancer, reports OK!.
After seeking medical advice, Sam was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The storyline saw her confront former enemy Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) and lean on her family throughout treatment, helping to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Speaking on The One Show on Thursday (January 15), Kim Medcalf discussed her current EastEnders storyline and confirmed that Sam achieves a “positive outcome” from her treatment, hinting that the character will remain on the soap.
During the chat with hosts Lauren Laverne and Roman Kemp, Kim explained: “The big thing is that she comes back from Spain and discovers a lump…”
“Her mum passed away from breast cancer, so she just assumes, ‘that’s it, game over, I don’t want to deal with it, it’s inevitable,’” Kim explained.
“But the people around her encourage her to get it checked, and when she does, it turns out to be breast cancer. She undergoes a lumpectomy, and thankfully, the outcome is positive.”
She added: “I think if we can help raise awareness through this storyline, that feels like a really meaningful thing to be part of.”
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