Samantha Womack, known for her role in EastEnders, has shared her reasons for relocating from the United Kingdom to Spain. The actress, along with her partner Oliver Farnworth, made the decision to move after Samantha’s battle with breast cancer.
In 2022, Samantha noticed something was amiss and underwent a breast examination, which revealed an irregular shape. Subsequent tests confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma that had spread to her lymph nodes. Samantha then had surgery to remove five lymph nodes and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Fortunately, her cancer was detected early, leading to a successful recovery within five months.
In 2023, following this challenging period, Samantha and her partner established their new residence in the Valencia mountains, Spain. Speaking with The Metro newspaper, Samantha attributed her family’s love for travel as a significant factor in their decision to move, mentioning her early globe-trotting experiences with her grandmother.
Despite referring to Spain as her “happy place,” Samantha frequently returns to the UK for work commitments since leaving EastEnders in 2017. While fans have expressed a desire for her return to the show, she acknowledges the challenges due to her character’s dramatic exit.
Addressing the possibility of a return to EastEnders, Samantha mentioned the need for a creative storyline that would allow her and Rita Simons to reprise their roles, emphasizing the strong bond between their characters. She expressed a willingness to return only if Rita, who portrayed her on-screen sister, would join her on the show.
Catch the latest episode of EastEnders airing tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One
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