Latest news with #MrBigstuff
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Danny Dyer shares the secret to his success after nabbing new role from Gary Oldman
Danny Dyer is back on TV screens this month in Sky's hilarious comedy Mr Bigstuff - but has explained how he landed a new film role that was meant for Gary Oldman Danny Dyer has shared his top piece of advice for landing work - to be cheaper than the other actors going up for his roles. The 48-year-old star has enjoyed a long career in the spotlight which began back in the early 1990s. The actor got his big break at the age of 16 when an agent secured him a role in the hit ITV show Prime Suspect - led by Oscar winning star Dame Helen Mirren. He has appeared in other smash shows including Hotel Babylon, Skins and the BBC soap EastEnders. Danny has recently been filming an Irish movie titled Three Quick Breaths where he plays a football agent named Jimmy Banks trying to secure a final deal for a major client. The project is written by Peter Howlett and directed by Brendan Muldowney - but apparently those behind the film originally wanted Gary Oldman to take the lead role. Now Danny has joked that he was hired instead because his fee is more budget friendly. Giving an eyebrow raising insight into the world of Hollywood, Danny hinted that the Oscar winner wanted a huge amount of money before he even started working. He told the Radio Times: 'I believe they went to Gary Oldman first. They told me he wanted £2 million just to read it. But I was next in line, which I'm chuffed with." He then quipped: "If you go Gary Oldman and I'm next, it's because I'm obviously cheaper. I'm happy to be a cheaper version of Gary Oldman." Danny went on to explain that working on the project almost drove him "crazy" as he was required to tape 15 pages of dialogue per day - with the filming process taking place in Ireland earlier this year. The London actor grew his fanbase when he appeared in EastEnders as Mick Carter from 2013 until 2022. The character was written off in tense Christmas scenes as he disappeared into the Channel following a dramatic car accident. The long-running soap also stars Laila Morse, who has played Mo 'Big Mo' Harris since 2000. The 79-year-old actress is the older sister of Gary Oldman, 67. Laila has previously opened up about the fact her brother got her into acting as he cast her in his directorial debut, Nil By Mouth, in 1997 at the age of 51. Danny is now starring in season two of the Sky Comedy series Mr Bigstuff where he plays a character searching for his father that abandoned him. In the first episode of the new season, the TV star strips naked and runs down a street in a hilarious scene. Discussing the nude scene with The Sun, Danny commented: 'Ever run through a council estate naked? It's a whole new ball game, literally. I was concentrating on the weather, more than anything else, you know, that it wasn't too cold! 'It was broad daylight. I didn't go fully [nude], I had a little sock over my Hampton.' He continued: 'You read this stuff, and you go, 'OK, I've got to physically do it'. But it's important to the show, it's a vital scene. You go, 'He's back'. It's the way of showing the alpha is back.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Danny Dyer issues four-word response to the man who won his lookalike competition
Former EastEnders star Danny Dyer discovered the winner of a lookalike competition based around him and did not hold back with his response Danny Dyer was recently the subject of a lookalike competition, and was amazed that he and the winner shared one detail in particular. The actor, who is best known for previously starring as Mick Carter on EastEnders, was the subject of a special contest that saw bearded blokes in tracksuits arrive in London for the chance to be crowned champion. In the end, Mike from Southampton emerged victorious and while he did not necessarily bear much of a resemblance to the former soap star, he was impressed with the outfit and the fact that they appeared to share the same double chin. When Danny saw Mike dressed in a white and maroon Sergio Tacchini jacket that was very similar to the one he wore in the 2005 film The Business, he exclaimed: "Did you nick it?" before adding: "You have got the same double chin there look!" Looking round to see that he was surrounded by several lookalikes, Danny, who came to prominence in the 1999 film Human Traffic, added: "This is like me ageing through the years." After all the excitement had come to an end, Danny joked: "This is a very surreal for me and I have realised how much I don't look like Danny Dyer anymore!" Meanwhile, competition winner Mike spoke of his surprise at winning, telling one's ever told me I look like Danny Dyer, but I've lived a similar sort of childhood — working-class," before Mike joked: "I'm obviously very good-looking, very charismatic, and a geezer." The competition, titled Who Can Be the Most Danny Dyer, was judged by Bigstuff co-stars Ryan Sampson and Harriet Webb, and the final 12 was decided on looks alone. Those lucky enough to make it through to the final four had to recite famous quotes uttered by the TV star. And when the final two came down to doppelgänger Richard and ultimate winner Mike, the champion was decided based on who had the most knowledge of the soap favourite. As part of his prize, Mike got to actually meet Danny but admitted that he "didn't expect to win in the slightest", whilst he felt like he had already met the star in the flesh just by being next to his runner-up. He joked: "I had fun, it was interesting. I thought the guy with no hair should have won this — but it's all fun." The new series of Mr Bigstuff, which stars Danny, broadcasts on Sky and NOW, with the latest instalment resuming mere weeks following the shocking revelation that the siblings ' father remains alive. Lee Campbell (portrayed by Danny) and his brother Glen (Ryan Sampson) have responded to the startling disclosure in contrasting ways, yet manage to come together as they endeavour to locate their dad. Another beloved character making a comeback for the sophomore season is Kirsty (Harriet Webb), who finds herself "taking charge in the bedroom and the boardroom". This season will see a huge EastEnders reunion as Linda Henry, known for playing Shirley Carter, stars in a guest role. Additional returning cast members feature Adrian Scarborough as Ian, Fatiha El-Ghorri as Aysha, Victoria Alcock as Sue, Ned Dennehy as Bunny and Clive Russell as Uncle Ron. EastEnders stars Alan Ford, who played Stevie Mitchell, and Linda Henry, aka Shirley Carter, are also on board 'I love Linda,' Danny, said who starred as Shirley's son Mick in the BBC soap. 'I wanted more scenes with her.' Both actors were inspired by their own lives to nail the chaotic relationship. 'They're at each other's throats, aren't they?' says Ryan, 39. 'I have siblings, and we sometimes tear strips off each other.'
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Danny Dyer deserves his Bafta, but not for Mr Bigstuff
Danny Dyer won a Bafta this year for Mr Bigstuff (Sky Max), and enlivened that most boring of awards ceremonies in his trademark style. He swore three times in 90 seconds, had the audience in stitches, and praised the show's creator, Ryan Sampson, for being multi-talented: 'He's never done the same thing twice, which is not something I can say.' Alas, the speech was funnier than Mr Bigstuff itself. I suspect Bafta wanted to honour Danny Dyer just for being Danny Dyer, because he's approaching national treasure status, rather than to show their love for this show in particular. They should have given it to him for Rivals, in which he really did give us something different. He's a talented actor. However, in Mr Bigstuff he's just playing a larger-than-life version of Danny Dyer, who is larger than life in the first place. The first series drew on the odd couple dynamic between Lee (Dyer) and Glen (Sampson). The long-lost brothers couldn't be more different: Glen is living the mildest of lives as a World of Carpets salesman until Lee turns up to sow chaos. In series two, they set off in search of the dad they thought was dead, but who turns out to be living in Tenerife. Glen's fiancee, Kirsty (Harriet Webb from Big Boys), is trying to spice up her marriage with some light S&M, while being targeted by a blackmailer who has incriminating snaps of her kissing Lee. Series two feels like a retread, but with Sampson trying to push the Dyer scenes that little bit further. So, in series one, Lee spent a lot of time in a dressing gown, and in series two he is still wearing a dressing gown but it's filthy on account of the fact that he mostly lives in an armchair on the street while knocking back bottles of vodka and listening to Barry Manilow. In series one, he got annoyed about non-recyclable packaging, and in series two he yells at neighbours who put their yoghurt pots in the wrong bin. By the end of the opening episode, he has dispensed with the armchair altogether and runs down the street naked, just after a scene in which he has a sanitary towel stuck to his head on a petrol station forecourt. Meanwhile, fans of Rula Lenska will be delighted to learn that she makes a sultry appearance in episode two. Lee tells her he's come round to mend her guttering. 'My guttering is f----ing immaculate,' she says, and she's not talking about the downpipe on her house. It's silly, ribald fun, featuring an accomplished cast, but the whole thing is held together by Dyer's charisma. Try to imagine any other actor speaking Lee's lines and it would fall flat.
Metro
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
'I won the Danny Dyer look-alike contest - the prize is the pinnacle'
On a cloudy day in East London, 12 strangers — who look nothing alike — have gathered because they all believe they bear a resemblance to one man: Danny Dyer. Paul Mescal's had one, Harry Styles had one, Timothée Chalamet even turned up to his — and now, inevitably, Danny Dyer has to have one too. The lookalike contest: a badge of honour for any heartthrob. Surely the greatest accolade — at least in theory. Some of these 12 men have travelled from Liverpool, Portsmouth, and Southampton to a corner of Hoxton Square to claim the title of the UK's best Danny Dyer — with varying levels of success. There are football tops, full tracksuits, and Mick Carter's signature trench coat and trainers. I didn't realise Dyer had such aesthetic range, but I've been proved wrong by some of his most devoted fans. Later tonight, Mr Dyer himself will be at Newington Green for the screening of Mr Bigstuff season 2 — the comedy for which he won his first BAFTA earlier this year. The prize for one of these Dyer wannabes? A chance to attend, meet the man himself, and hope he says: ' Blimey, it's like looking in the mirror .' I arrive about 20 minutes before the contest is due to start when I spot either Danny Dyer or his alarmingly good doppelgänger across the green. It's the latter. Richard, from Norwich, is the only contestant around at this point — but surely, the prize is his for the taking. 'I just came to see the experience. A friend told me about it,' he tells Metro. 'People first started telling me I looked like Danny Dyer about 20 years ago, after Football Factory, when I walked into a pub and everyone thought it was Danny.' It doesn't take long before he's in good company. A surprisingly large crowd swarms around a stage featuring a grotty armchair and a cardboard cut-out of Dyer. I start spotting clear contenders — like a real-life Where's Wally, but with the nation's favourite hardman instead. Mike from Southampton says his family dragged him here. They're just a few feet away, giggling. I don't immediately see Dyer in him, but after a couple of questions, I can definitely sense the swagger — if not the resemblance. 'No one's ever told me I look like Danny Dyer, but I've lived a similar sort of childhood — working-class,' he says. He's nailed Dyer's sense of humour, though: 'I'm obviously very good-looking, very charismatic, and a geezer.' Bradley, from London, stands next to Mike and confirms he's also taking part — admittedly, to my surprise. 'I'm meant to be looking like Danny Dyer, so we'll see where it takes us,' he says. 'I sound like him more than I look like him. No one's ever told me I look like him, but I do sound like him. We're both from London, good geezers, and we'd do anything for anyone — he seems like that type of fella.' I don't know if it's the free Scampi Fries or the Haribo handed out to onlookers, but the energy is electric. Hundreds have either snuck out of the office on their lunch break or are pretending they're in a meeting to witness a strangely thrilling spectacle. I arrived curious, but swiftly became genuinely invested. The 12 contenders are put through their paces in three rounds of 'Who Can Be the Most Danny Dyer,' judged by Dyer's Mr Bigstuff co-stars Ryan Sampson and Harriet Webb. The first round is a bloodbath, as 12 are narrowed down to four based on looks alone. Personally, I had my own clear favourites, but everyone gets their chance to shine. The talent ranges from 'bloody hell, is that Danny Dyer?' to someone who looked lost and somehow ended up on stage. It doesn't take long for 12 to become four. A round involving reading classic Danny Dyer quotes quickly cuts it to two: Richard the doppelgänger and Mike the charmer, going head to head to prove who is the most Dyer of them all. The deciding factor? Hobbies. And bizarrely, both are unusually on-brand: Richard makes stained glass windows; Mike grows coral. Two hobbies I didn't know existed — yet somehow couldn't be more Dyer. In the end, Richard may have looked like Dyer's twin, but Mike was just more Danny. He's draped in a sash reading 'Best Danny' and soaks in the glory from his crusty throne — the manky armchair I spotted earlier — drowned out by deafening cheers from the crowd. I catch up with Mike once he's had a moment to catch his breath. 'I didn't expect to win in the slightest,' he laughs. Turning to runner-up Richard, he concedes, 'I feel like I've met Danny Dyer today.' Of course, he actually will meet Dyer later tonight. 'That is the pinnacle,' he admits, though he has no idea what he's going to say. After some deliberation, he settles on a plan: 'I'll ask him, 'What's the most exciting movie he's in?' I'm hoping it's going to be Human Traffic — that's my era.' More Trending 'I hope I've done him proud,' he chuckles. After Mike was crowned champion, the 'least like Danny Dyer' was also given a prize — a smouldering cardboard cut-out of the national treasure. The unfortunate winner was the aptly named Mick from North London, who told Metro: 'I had fun, it was interesting. I thought the guy with no hair should have won this — but it's all fun.' View More » Mr Bigstuff season 2 premieres on July 24 on Sky and NOW. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Tony Peers dies aged 78 MORE: Major EastEnders fan-favourite asked to return this year – but it didn't happen MORE: Hollyoaks star 'absolutely over the moon' as he announces first baby with girlfriend
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mr Bigstuff season 2 cast as Danny Dyer welcomes fellow EastEnders stars
The second season of Mr Bigstuff is now airing on Sky and NOW and the new episodes see Danny Dyer's Lee Campbell and Ryan Sampson's Glen on the hunt for their dad Mr Bigstuff's second series broadcasts on Sky and NOW, with the latest instalment resuming mere weeks following the shocking revelation that the siblings' father remains alive. Lee Campbell (portrayed by Danny Dyer) and his sibling Glen (Ryan Sampson) have responded to the startling disclosure in contrasting ways, yet manage to come together as they endeavour to locate their dad. Another beloved character making a comeback for the sophomore season is Kirsty (Harriet Webb), who finds herself "taking charge in the bedroom and the boardroom". This season will see a huge EastEnders reunion as Linda Henry, known for playing Shirley Carter, stars in a guest role. Additional returning cast members feature Adrian Scarborough as Ian, Fatiha El-Ghorri as Aysha, Victoria Alcock as Sue, Ned Dennehy as Bunny and Clive Russell as Uncle Ron. Here's everything you need to discover about the fresh guest performers for series two, which Sampson both created and penned. Rita - Rula Lenska Rula Lenska is a 77 year old English performer recognised for her cinema appearances in Queen Kong and Aura. On television, she's remembered for portraying Claudia Colby in the ITV soap Coronation Street. Pam - Linda Henry Linda Henry reconnected with her EastEnders colleague Dyer for this venture, with the duo having shared numerous intense sequences on the soap throughout the years as Mick and Shirley Carter. Most memorably a plot thread that exposed Mick and Shirley were not brother and sister as initially believed, but that he was actually her offspring. Henry is a 65 year old English performer who also featured as Yvonne Atkins in the ITV prison drama series Bad Girls. Angry clown - Shaun Williamson Williamson, a former EastEnders star, is best known for his role as Barry Evans, which became a defining part of his career. He later appeared in the BBC /HBO sitcom Extras, playing a satirical version of himself. Post his departure from the soap, he featured in Sexy Murder, Life's Too Short and Al Murray's Great British Pub Quiz. The second series of Mr Bigstuff is currently airing on Sky and NOW.
