EastEnders’ Kim Medcalf reveals surprising advice from Barbara Windsor during her Sam Mitchell debut

After playing Sam Mitchell for nearly 25 years on EastEnders, Kim Medcalf probably has plenty of stories to share from the BBC soap. One of those is from the time of her debut, where she received some surprising advice from the late Barbara Windsor.

Medcalf made her first appearance as Sam way back in 2002, having a three-year stint in Walford before departing. She made a return in 2022, but has only appeared in Albert Square sporadically since then.

With Sam being a part of the soap’s most iconic family, there was plenty of anticipation when Medcalf made her debut as Grant and Phil’s sister, with the actor having replaced Danniella Westbrook in the role.

Medcalf’s first appearance came in January 2002, with Windsor’s Peggy Mitchell coming across Sam as the latter worked as a pole dancer in Marbella. With the scene serving as Sam’s reintroduction to the soap, Medcalf recalled her time filming it.

“The funny story was we actually filmed the lap-dancing scene in Watford,” said the actor during Wednesday’s (20 May) episode of This Morning. “I’m there, new to this game, and Barbara was sitting there watching me do it.”

“And she went: ‘It’s great, darling, it’s great. But just when you open that blouse, really open it!'” added the actor, who starred in BBC drama Collateral. She also paid tribute to Windsor, calling her “brilliant”.

Medcalf is was back on the soap as part of a storyline involving the Mitchell clan, with the family rallying together to free Mark Fowler from the clutches of a group of ominous gangsters.

Speaking earlier this month, the actor reflected on the dramatic storyline, saying: “It balances huge emotion with flashes of humour and nostalgia – there’s some classic Mitchell moments.

“Between the attempted rescue mission and Nigel’s funeral, they’re reminded who they are as a family. For Sam, it reinforces the importance of family, her love for Ricky, and that sense that blood ultimately runs deepest.”

The storyline has seen Ross Kemp reprise his role as Grant, though it’s only for a short stint. The character’s impending exit has already been teased, with Sam potentially joining him in Portugal.