Kim Medcalf
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Kim Medcalf (born December 8, 1974) is a British actress and sometime singer, best known for playing the character Sam Mitchell in the long running BBC Soap Opera EastEnders over a period of three years . Born in Bromley, Kent Medcalf completed her A-level studies at Newstead Wood School for Girls and after leaving, unsuccessfully applied to various stage schools. Eventually she attended Bristol University to study Law.
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[edit] Early career
In her early career, Medcalf found herself as an account manager selling soap powder for a big company and later, a nursery nurse, but while on holiday with friends, she decided this was no longer for her and she left to try something different. She enrolled at the Central School of Speech and Drama for an eight month course. After successfully completing the course, she took part in various theatre productions, including The Beggars Opera at the National Theatre and One Touch Of Venus at the King's Head in Islington.
[edit] Acting career
In 2002, Medcalf landed the role of Sam Mitchell, taking over from Daniella Westbrook, and making herself a UK household name in the process. She filmed her first scenes with Barbara Windsor in Spain. That same year, Medcalf was involved in a horrific car accident in France, which left her with multiple broken bones, the worst being her leg, which had to be pinned together using a metal rod.
Medcalf's final scenes were filmed in September 2005 and screened in November of that year. Her character, Sam, having escaped possible imprisonment for the murder of Den Watts, left to join her brother, Grant Mitchell, in Brazil.
Medcalf's first post-EastEnders work included appearances for Children in Need on the 18 November 2005, and in South Pacific at the Symphony Hall on 29th and 30 November 2005. In the Spring of 2006 she appeared in an acclaimed run of Hay Fever at the Theatre Royal Haymarket alongside Dame Judi Dench.
Medcalf has recently been seen as the host of the Mitchells Weekend on the UKTV Gold network.
On the 23 January she appeared in an episode of the BBC's Afternoon Play series called Death becomes him.
In February 2007, she appeared as the guest star in the UK tour of West end hit of The Play What I Wrote when it was performed at the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton.
On Monday 2nd April 2007, Medcalf will take over the role of Sally Bowles from Anna Maxwell Martin in the revival of Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre in the West End.
[edit] Singing
In 2004 Medcalf showcased her singing ability at the Eastenders Christmas party, a TV special, where she sang All I Want For Christmas. Subsequently, she was invited to join the students of the 2005 Comic Relief does Fame Academy. Medcalf performed various songs including Don't Know Why and Perfect, as well as group songs with other students. After the judges initially being confused about Medcalf's voice she prevailed, helped by an emotional performance of Delta Goodrem's Born to Try, and finished in second place behind Radio One's Edith Bowman.
On the 11 September 2005, Medcalf wowed the crowds at London's Hyde Park where she took part in the BBC Family Prom; she performed her own version of Over the Rainbow accompanied by the BBC Orchestra.
She is a mezzo-soprano.
