logo
Danny Dyer struggled to ditch ‘hardman' persona before sitcom Mr Bigstuff

Danny Dyer struggled to ditch ‘hardman' persona before sitcom Mr Bigstuff

Yahoo7 days ago
Danny Dyer is often described as a 'hardman' thanks to his roles in The Football Factory, EastEnders, and The Business, but it meant he wasn't able to show his versatility onscreen. However, that perception is now changing.
Dyer recently was the standout of Disney+'s Rivals, the adaptation of Jilly Cooper's bonkbuster, and won a BAFTA for his part in Mr. BigStuff. Now, the Sky comedy is returning for a second season, and Dyer tells Yahoo UK how he is grateful for the opportunity to show the world his acting range.
'It was about getting the opportunities, really,' he explains. 'I was very lucky to get Rivals and Mr. Bigstuff back to back.
'I don't suppose I've had an opportunity to show that versatility, in a sense of, I'm still cockney and working class, but I'm managing just different physicality, [my characters] Freddie and Lee are very different.'
Mr. BigStuff tells the story of carpet salesman Glen — played by writer and creator Ryan Sampson — whose life is flipped upside down after his larger-than-life brother, Lee, comes barrelling back into the picture. Dyer's part was written specifically with the actor in mind.
'It's the brilliance of Ryan, being a selfless man and writing this thing for me, giving me an opportunity,' Dyer adds. '[He said] 'Here's a vehicle, go and crack on.' I've been around a long time, and it's just about being lucky enough to get the right jobs we can show off.'
For the second season, Sampson leaned into Dyer's mannerisms, bringing them into the new series. 'There are a lot of quirks there,' says the writer. 'I write it, and then Danny does the Dyer-isms pass [of the script], and then spins lines in his own voice, and it's always so much better. It's really good, it's impressive.'
One of Dyer's most recent — and perhaps surprising — quirks has been his love of miniatures, having built a model library in recent years. The actor jokes that it is the kind of hobby that matches his new role as a grandfather, following daughter Dani Dyer welcoming three children since 2021.
'I've been so busy, I haven't had time,' he said. 'But it's good for mindfulness.
"I built a little Victorian library, but tried to put the roof on, the roof was a dome, then I broke the whole thing. I was fuming. I had to put it down for a bit, because I was very, very wound up over this dome, but I do love it.
'I've got magnified glasses, the little flippy-uppy ones. I'm a granddad now. That's what grandfathers do. I'm fitting into the role perfectly.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Drew McIntyre is stuck in the UK, WWE reportedly working to bring him back
Drew McIntyre is stuck in the UK, WWE reportedly working to bring him back

Yahoo

time22 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Drew McIntyre is stuck in the UK, WWE reportedly working to bring him back

Earlier today, Drew McIntyre took to social media to cut a promo amongst cows. Wait, huh? I'll allow him to explain, and it's bad news for WWE right now: 'It's quite the week I've had. You want to know how it's been capped off? I can't get back in America, they wouldn't let me board my flight. … I'm in England still, at my buddy's wedding, and what a wedding it was. Planning to go back, train for SummerSlam but no, no, no, I got blocked. 'Wife and I walked up to the gate, trying to check in, always goes perfectly fine. Not this time. 'Sir, you don't have your U.S. passport. I know who you are. I know you've lived there for a long time. I know you're showing me pictures of your passport and your global entry, and it doesn't matter, I know exactly who you are, your property and the likes. But, no, we can't let you in the country.'' He went on to say his wife went back home to look after their cat before turning it into a kayfabe issue and blaming Jelly Roll, the man he was scheduled to wrestle against at SummerSlam. According to PW Insider, this is a real issue WWE is currently working to resolve and McIntyre is genuinely stuck. We'll see if they can get things figured out in time for one of the biggest shows of the year. More from Not everyone is marking out about Eva Marie's return Mansoor's Raw Debut was classic WWE Is this who caught Lilly's eye? Former WWE champs face off on (checks notes) Main Event Yes, Angel Garza shoved a rose up Drew Gulak's butt on Raw Raw recap & reactions: Flip the switch Flair already added to title match at WrestleMania Backlash EVA MARIE IS BACK

'Bend It Like Beckham' sequel in the works more than 20 years after the original
'Bend It Like Beckham' sequel in the works more than 20 years after the original

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

'Bend It Like Beckham' sequel in the works more than 20 years after the original

'I'm pretty certain that everyone's going to want to come back," director Gurinder Chadha said. Goal! Gurinder Chadha is working on a prequel to Bend It Like Beckham, the 2003 sports cult classic about a young Indian woman (Parminder Nagra) whose dreams of playing pro soccer clash with her strict immigrant parents' ideals. In the comedy, Nagra starred as Jess Bhamra, a teenager who goes against her parents' wishes and competes in matches in secret once she's enlisted by fellow player Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley) for a semi-pro team. Jonathan Rhys Meyers also starred as Jess' coach, Joe, whom she takes a liking to. Stars Nagra and Knightley, as well as Archie Panjabi (who played Pinky) and Juliet Stevenson (Paula), are "aware that a sequel is being developed," Chadha told Deadline, but "want to see a script before they commit." "I'm pretty certain that everyone's going to want to come back," Chadha said. "Everything hinges on the script and if the original cast likes it. I am working really hard to make sure every character I bring back has a decent arc." No plot details yet, but Chadha intends to once again co-write the screenplay with husband Paul Mayeda Berges. She also collaborated with Emma Hayes, head coach of the U.S. women's national soccer team, to help shape the script. The goal is a 2027 release to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the film's U.K. 2002 premiere. The original film, its title a nod to none other than former soccer player David Beckham, was a box office hit, grossing $76.6 million against a budget of roughly $6 million. It even inspired a 2015 West End production. 'I think people underestimated the power of girls wanting to see films where they were empowered,' Chadha told Entertainment Weekly of the film's enduring success in a retrospective in 2018 ,alongside stars Nagra and Panjabi. 'Those hardly ever existed.'"People love a story about an underdog," Nagra added. "Billy Elliot did it. Rocky. Somebody who has to struggle and is going up against everybody else's version of what they think that person should be. And I think that's what resonates with people: If you put the hard work in and the persistence, eventually it'll pay off." Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly

New adventure playground opens with zip line and climbing frames
New adventure playground opens with zip line and climbing frames

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

New adventure playground opens with zip line and climbing frames

A new adventure playground has opened at Lepe Country Park in Southampton. The play area, inspired by Lepe's D-Day history and coastal setting, features a zip line, obstacle course, climbing frames, and a den-building area. The centrepiece is the 'Lepe Lighthouse', complete with a scramble net, firefighter's pole, and slide. The project received £100,000 from New Forest District Council's Community Infrastructure Levy grant, with further support from Hampshire County Council. READ MORE: Council brings games and green advice to New Forest Show Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council's cabinet lead for universal services, said: "I'm delighted to open this fantastic new play space at Lepe Country Park. "Thoughtfully designed to blend with the natural landscape, it offers an exciting experience for children of all ages, open just in time for the summer holidays." Cllr Derek Tipp, New Forest District Council's portfolio holder for planning and economy, said: "We're sure it will continue to be an all-year-round community asset for residents and visitors."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store