Danniella Westbrook has once again stunned fans after stepping out in Dubai to reveal the latest stage of her dramatic facial reconstruction — bandaged, bruised and almost unrecognisable as she cautiously enjoyed a dip in a swimming pool.
The former EastEnders actress, 52, is currently recovering in the UAE following a major round of surgery and was seen on Sunday attempting to relax as part of her long and complex healing process.
Wearing a skimpy bikini, Danniella appeared keen to show not only her transforming face but also her figure, before retreating to a sun lounger to rest. Her appearance marked another highly public glimpse into a recovery journey that has been years in the making.
Just last week, the star underwent extensive procedures at Dubai’s Gargash Hospital, including a full face, neck and brow lift, alongside lip and nose reconstruction. The operation represents the latest chapter in her ongoing battle to repair the damage caused by a collapsed septum — a condition linked to past cocaine addiction and osteoporosis.
The surgery came only weeks after Danniella was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties, stemming from long-standing complications related to her nose collapse. Those close to the actress revealed at the time that her respiratory issues had become severe enough to force her to seek urgent medical help.
Danniella once again placed her trust in surgeon Dr Parviz Sadigh, who has worked on her previously and is now leading the latest attempt to rebuild her face. In an Instagram post shared last month, she publicly thanked him, writing:
“A massive amount of love and respect to my amazing surgeon @parvizsadigh for all his hard work. Every day I grow and glow. Thank you — and roll on February for the next operation.”
Her health struggles have also had a significant impact on her career. Danniella had been due to return to acting in the film Tales From The Trap, marking her first screen role in years, but was later recast amid her ongoing medical issues.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, insiders previously revealed that the actress — who has not appeared on TV or in a film since mid-2016 — was forced to step back after her breathing problems worsened. She had initially been cast opposite Love Island star Liv Hawkins as a gun-selling “gangster granny,” but the role was later taken over by Slow Horses actress Kim Tiddy.
During her recovery in Dubai, Danniella was photographed carefully keeping her bandages dry as she entered and exited the pool, with her head strapped into a support. At all times, she appeared cautious, shielding her delicate face from the intense heat with a hat and using a support pillow while relaxing poolside. She was also accompanied by a friend as she slowly walked around the resort.
The actress first found fame at just 16 years old on EastEnders, but her career was derailed in the 1990s due to heavy cocaine use, which ultimately led to her contract being terminated and her character written out in 1996.
Her battle with addiction — and its devastating physical consequences — has been widely documented. In 2002, excessive drug use caused her septum to collapse, triggering a long series of reconstructive surgeries that have spanned decades.
In April 2023, Danniella underwent multiple procedures in Turkey, including a thread lift, cheek and lip liposuction, chin fat grafting and jawline contouring, in a desperate attempt to halt her “collapsing” face. She later admitted she hated the results of that reconstruction, having spent seven years trying to find a surgeon willing to operate due to the severity of her condition.
Despite being offered free procedures by clinics around the world, Danniella has previously insisted she paid for her surgeries herself. At one point, she revealed doctors told her she would need at least five operations to correct the damage.
At the height of her addiction, it was reported she was taking up to five grams of cocaine a day, spending as much as £250,000 on drugs. Now sober, the actress has repeatedly spoken about her determination to rebuild her life — and her face — as she moves forward.
Danniella last appeared on television in 2016, when she won Celebrity Big Brother. She has also previously competed on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2003, appeared on Dancing On Ice in 2010, and later joined Hollyoaks.
As she continues her recovery in Dubai, her latest appearance — bruised yet defiant — serves as another stark reminder of the extraordinary physical and emotional journey she has endured in the public eye.
