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Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Danny Dyer was 'off his nut' on EastEnders set leading to BBC bosses stepping in
Danny Dyer has shockingly admitted he was "off his nut" while on the set of EastEnders, leading to drastic measures by the show's bosses. The actor dropped some explosive revelations about his stint on the BBC soap, bluntly criticising it as "s*** now." At a charity do on Friday, Danny - who's battled with booze and drugs before - opened up about his tough times after joining the soap, revealing he was often sloshed on set and popping prescription meds. Danny was a fixture on EastEnders for nearly a decade from 2013 to 2022 and even checked into rehab in 2017 to get a grip on his addictions. He recounted how the crew intervened when they caught him boozing on set, saying: "When I first arrived the pints were real. I was slipping and sliding around having a few lagers and they found out, so they started to put TCP in the f****** beer!". Despite also being on pills, Danny managed to pull off his role as the beloved Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter. He confessed: "I was off my nut for a lot of that job, I've got to say. I was on a lot of valium and diazepam, that is why. Still got that f***III job done somehow." Danny didn't mince words when asked about EastEnders post his dramatic exit, which saw Mick vanishing at sea after saving ex Linda Carter and villainous new wife Janine Butcher during Christmas 2022. His verdict? "S*** now though, ain't it," he added, "Serves them right." At the Paul Strank Charitable Trust event in Wimbledon, south London, where he generously donated a hefty sum, Danny got real about the emotional turmoil he faced due to the relentless pace of soap opera filming. He lamented the lack of "duty of care" for actors dealing with intense scenes, reports the Mirror. "In a film you properly cry and go to a dark place," he revealed. "You have time to recover. But on soap, you ain't. On a soap, it f**** a lot of people's heads up. I tell you most people in soaps are off their nut. You meet them on the street and they're f****** lunatics, I'm telling you." He also expressed frustration over the show's inflexibility, saying, "If someone dies in your family, they won't even let you go to a f****** funeral because it is such a machine there wasn't much duty of care there." The show's spokesperson has since countered Danny's remarks, stating: "We would never discuss an individual's private matters however, we do not recognise these claims. EastEnders has extremely robust and well established procedures in place to safeguard the welfare of everyone who works on the show." Danny took on the role of Mick Carter during a rough patch in his career, following the dwindling fame from Human Traffic and The Football Factory, and with debt collectors knocking, despite once vowing never to join the soap. Danny, aged 47, spilled the beans on his frosty reception at Albert Square. "I will be honest, it is a very clicky place to work," he revealed. "We took the pub over from Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie. Kat and Alfie had an 11 year run and then they want to get rid of them." He continued, airing out the tension: "So they brought us in and they had the hump. That was getting tricky. I was like 'What's the matter with these people, I've not made this call'. So there was a lot of people blanking us when we turned up." Reflecting on his stint on the show, Danny cherished the early days but felt things took a nosedive later on. "I really cherish those first three years," he reminisced, "Then a new producer came in and sacked every f*****. It is a very ruthless job. I learned a lot. Nine years was enough for me." .
Metro
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Danny Dyer shares drugs bombshell after slamming EastEnders scripts
Danny Dyer has admitted he was 'off his nut' on prescription drugs during his time starring on EastEnders. Before joining the BBC soap, Danny was best known for appearing in films including Human Traffic, Mean Machine and The Football Factory. In 2013 he was cast as Mick Carter in EastEnders, a role he held until his character was killed off in 2022. A few years on, the 47-year-old actor has taken aim at the show whilst also detailing the personal struggles he faced during filming. During a charity night at the Wimbledon Football Club in South West London on Friday night, Danny didn't hold back. 'I was off my nut for a lot of that job. I was squinting a lot for a couple of years, a lot of Valium and Diazepam,' he told the audience when reflecting on his time on the soap. 'You have 30 pages a day you've got to learn. There's no f***ing about. You organically make the scene work, you rehearse nothing. It f***s your nut up. I ended up in rehab twice,' he added, as reported by The Sun. Danny also revealed he was banned from drinking alcohol in the Queen Vic and crew members even put antiseptic in the beer barrels to prevent him from doing so. 'When I first arrived on set I was slipping around the side and having a few lagers and they found out, so they started to put TCP into the beer. I wasn't off my nut. I had a drink every now and again,' he shared. The actor then criticised the show's 'dark' storylines before claiming he couldn't even find the time to attend events such as funeral's while working on EastEnders. 'You earn good money, but you ain't got time to go to a cashpoint. You have no life. The amount of birthdays I missed. If someone dies in your family they won't even let you go to the funeral. It's such a machine. There's not much duty of care. That's the truth. On EastEnders there is no messing about and you've got to do it. It's the hardest part of our job.' He also made digs at some of the storylines – calling Mick's romance with Janine 'mental' and blasted the decision to kill off Lola (played by Danielle Harold) last year, which he called a 'waste'. Danny, who was believed to have been paid about £250,000 per year when he appeared on the soap, went on to say he thought A-list actors would 'crumble' if they worked on the show.' In a statement to Metro, a spokesperson for EastEnders said: 'We would never discuss an individual's private matters however, we do not recognise these claims. 'EastEnders has extremely robust and well established procedures in place to safeguard the welfare of everyone who works on the show.' Following Danny's comments, a source told the same publication that people who work on EastEnders would be 'baffled' by his claims and said it was an 'odd move' from the actor after he's previously said several times he'd like to return to the long-running series, which has been airing since 1985. On the upcoming episode of BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Danny also revealed he only took the role of Mick because he 'had no money'. 'I had bailiffs [coming round], no-one would hire me and the more I'm doing these club appearances, the more drugs I'm taking, and drink, so I'm in this weird spiral,' he told the programme. Last month Danny spoke about once being kicked out by his wife Jo, whom he first started dating in 1992. More Trending During an episode of The Assembly, he was grilled about his wife taking control of his bank accounts. 'She controls everything now. She did kick me out because I was a p****. And she deserved better,' he revealed. 'Sometimes I would go out and get off my head, take drugs, and I wouldn't come home for three days. I had issues – I never wanted the party to end. She had every right to throw me out.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The clear winners at tonight's Bafta TV Awards vs who should win MORE: EastEnders Shirley Carter star's return to TV confirmed – alongside Danny Dyer MORE: Emmerdale star marks 'mad two years' on ITV soap as she says final goodbye
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders' Danny Dyer 'off his nut' while filming as bosses took drastic steps
Danny Dyer has confessed to downing booze and taking prescription pills before filming scenes on EastEnders during his nine-year run as Mick Carter on the hit soap Danny Dyer has confessed that he was "off his nut" while filming for EastEnders, forcing show bosses to take drastic action. The actor made bombshell claims about his time on the BBC soap as he slammed it for being "s*** now." Talking at a charity event on Friday Danny - who has suffered from drink and drug abuse in the past - opened up about how he struggled after joining the soap and found himself drunk on set and taking prescription pills. Danny starred on EastEnders for nine years from 2013 - 2022 and during that time went to rehab in 2017 to address his addiction problems. He described how the production team took action when he was drunk on set to stop him from downing beers while he worked. He said: "When I first arrived the pints were reaI. I was slipping and sliding around having a few lagers and they found out, so they started to put TCP in the f***ing beer!" Danny then admitted that he was also taking pills but still managed to act his scenes as loveable landlord of The Queen Vic, Mick Carter. He said: "I was off my nut for a lot of that job, I've got to say. I was on a lot of valium and diazepam, that is why. Still got that f***ing job done somehow." Danny didn't hold back as he was asked what he thought of the show since he left in traumatic scenes that saw Mick lost at sea saving the lives of ex Linda Carter and evil new wife Janine Butcher at Christmas in 2022. He said: "S*** now though, ain't it," adding, "Serves them right." Talking at the Paul Strank Charitable Trust event in Wimbledon, south London - where he donated thousands of pounds of his own money - Danny opened up about the emotional rollercoaster and how he struggled with the lack of downtime from draining scenes, saying there wasn't enough "duty of care". "In a film you properly cry and go to a dark place," he said. "You have time to recover. But on soap, you ain't. On a soap, it f**** a lot of people's heads up. I tell you most people in soaps are off their nut. You meet them on the street and they're f***ing lunatics, I'm telling you. "If someone dies in your family, they won't even let you go to a f***ing funeral because it is such a machine there wasn't much duty of care there." A spokesperson for the show has rebuked Danny's claims. In statement, they said: "We would never discuss an individual's private matters however, we do not recognise these claims. EastEnders has extremely robust and well established procedures in place to safeguard the welfare of everyone who works on the show." He took the part of Mick Carter at a low point in his career after his Human Traffic and The Football Factory success had waned and with bailiffs at his door, having previously sworn he would never star in the soap. Danny, 47, claims he didn't get a warm welcome on Albert Square. "I will be honest, it is a very clicky place to work," he said. "We took the pub over from Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie. Kat and Alfie had an 11 year run and then they want to get rid of them. "So they brought us in and they had the hump. That was getting tricky. I was like 'What's the matter with these people, I've not made this call'. So there was a lot of people blanking us when we turned up." Whilst he looks back fondly on the first three years of working on the show, he said it went downhill from there. "I really cherish those first three years," he recalled, "Then a new producer came in and sacked every f***er. It is a very ruthless job. I learned a lot. Nine years was enough for me."
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Danny Dyer says EastEnders is 's***' and opens up on 'off his nut' co-stars
EXCLUSIVE: Actor Danny Dyer is opening up about his time on much loved Soap, Eastenders, after playing Mick Carter for nine years from 2013 to then departing in 2022 Danny Dyer has slammed EastEnders in a foul-mouthed tirade, saying the soap is now 's***'. Speaking at a charity event on Friday night, Danny gave a no holds barred account of his time on the show, recalling how he'd often be drunk on set, and take Valium and diazepam before scenes. He also told how stars had the 'hump' when he joined as pub landlord Mick Carter in 2013 and made things 'tricky'. Asked what he thought of the BBC show since he left, he said: 'S*** now though, ain't it,' he shrugged. 'Serves them right.' He took the part at a low point in his career after his Human Traffic and The Football Factory success had waned and with bailiffs at his door. Dad-of-three Danny, 47, claims he didn't get a warm welcome on Albert Square. 'I will be honest, it is a very clicky place to work,' he said. 'We took the pub over from Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie. Kat and Alfie had an 11 year run and then they want to get rid of them. 'So they brought us in and they had the hump. That was getting tricky. I was like 'What's the matter with these people, I've not made this call'. So there was a lot of people blanking us when we turned up.' Whilst he looks back fondly on the first three years of working on the show, he said it went downhill from there. 'I really cherish those first three years,: he recalled, 'Then a new producer came in and sacked every f***er. It is a very ruthless job. I learned a lot. Nine years was enough for me.' Talking at the Paul Strank Charitable Trust event in Wimbledon, south London - where he donated thousands of pounds of his own money - Danny opened up about the emotional rollercoaster and how he struggled with the lack of downtime from draining scenes, saying there wasn't enough 'duty of care'. 'In a film you properly cry and go to a dark place,' he said. 'You have time to recover. But on soap, you ain't. On a soap, it f**** a lot of people's heads up. I tell you most people in soap are off their nut. You meet them on the street and they're f***ing lunatics, I'm telling you. 'If someone dies in your family, they won't even let you go to a f***ing funeral because it is such a machine there wasn't much duty of care there.' Danny, who has suffered from drink and drug abuse in the past - going to rehab in 2017 - said he would down pints on set, before bosses stepped in. 'When I first arrived the pints were reaI,' he recalled. 'I was slipping and sliding around having a few lagers and they found out, so they started to put TCP in the f***ing beer! 'I was off my nut for a lot of that job, I've got to say. I was on a lot of valium and diazepam, that is why. Still got that f***ing job done somehow.' Danny has seen a career resurgence since EastEnders gave him a chance, landing his first ever BAFTA nomination for his role in Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff. He's also received rave reviews playing Freddie Jones in the television adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Rivals for Disney. He concedes he's got EastEnders to thank for it. 'I was a snobby f***er going I will never go in EastEnders looking down my nose at it,' he said. 'It saved my f***ing career. I'd be f***ed without it.' Describing Rivals as his most lucrative job so far in his career, he revealed how daughter Dani's appearance on Love Island gave him an expected boost in his pay packet. 'My wages tripled when my daughter won Love Island,' he told. 'Honestly, I was the father of the f***ing year and I'd done f*** all. I thought, what a touch!' Currently filming the second series of racy Rivals, Danny has promised to flash more flesh for his return. 'I do think I will get my c*** out in the second series!' he teased. Enjoying his current purple patch, Danny says he's always had faith in his ability despite various knockbacks in his career. "I've always believed I had something about me and that I can act. 'It is just a matter of never giving up, really. Especially in our world where you get used to a lot of rejection. I've never faded into the shadows and always thought 'No, f**k it, I want to do something, I want to get out the council estate and earn a few quid'.' Looking ahead to his next role, Danny says he wants to challenge himself and do something 'completely left field' 'I want to play a gay aristocrat,' he said.
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Danny Dyer recalls the heartbreaking moment his father told him he 'wasn't allowed' to hold his hand anymore as he details their past fractured relationship
He may be TV's hard man, but Danny Dyer reveals he had a rocky start in life, as he recalled his father's harsh words to him and details his shock double life. The actor, 47, gets a grilling in ITV 's new show The Assembly, which sees a celebrity face questions from a group of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people, forcing them to cast aside their media training, with no topic off limits. Opening up on his previously fractured relationship with his father Anthony on the show, Danny recalled the heartbreaking childhood moment his father told him he 'wasn't allowed' to hold his hand anymore. He shared: 'My dad just wasn't a very good dad. He didn't know how to do it. He told me when I wasn't allowed to hold his hand anymore. I was trying to cross the road, and I went to hold his hand, and he went, 'No, we don't do that anymore'.' The former EastEnders actor, 47, who is now a proud father to daughters, Dani, 28, and Sunni, 18, along with son, Arty, 11 says he wouldn't be able to sleep at night if he didn't have a relationship with his offspring. He continued: 'I was like, s**t. I don't understand how men put their head on the pillow knowing that they have children out there that they just don't have a relationship with – I couldn't do it.' 'I caused quite a lot of pain, to my children – the stuff I was getting up to, just being vacant, and not engaging, just not being available. 'I realised later on, wow, I am going to do everything in my power to be... it's not about money - you could live in a cardboard box. You have to express yourself. It's about love, and what children need. 'This just need stability and affection and [to] feel like they're loved, that's it. When you haven't got that, it's a pretty tough thing.' Meanwhile on the show, the TV star opened up on his discovery that his dad was leading a secret life away from his family. Danny shared: 'My dad was living two lives, so he was sort of raising us and then I always remember on Christmas Day, he would disappear for a few hours, so what he was doing was going across London to his other family, and he had two daughters,' says the star. 'Just think about that – crazy. How could you do that? When my mum found out my sister was nine months old or something, so it was a real moment of clarity. How the fuck did he do that by the way? Discussing if he is in contact with his estranged father now, The Football Factory favourite, claims, 'I am very close to my dad now because again, he deserved another shot, and if there is still no relationship, it's their loss, because you are an incredible human-being.' 'My dad just wasn't a very good dad. He didn't know how to do it. He told me when I wasn't allowed to hold his hand anymore' [Pictured together in March] Danny previously spoke of his father in 2021, as he revealed his real name is actually Danial Dyer - because his father misspelt Daniel on his birth certificate when he was 'off his nut'. The star thinks his dad Antony was 'battered' when he was given the responsibility of filling in his birth certificate, and as a result his moniker was accidentally set as Danial rather than the conventional spelling of Daniel. Speaking on his and daughter Dani's Sorted with the Dyers podcast, he said: 'I did change my name, because my name is Danial. My old dad, and I love him very much, is old school. 'I was born in the 70s so men didn't really get involved in much then. Back in the day, my mum would go, "I'm going into labour," and he'd be up the boozer and go, "What time are you going to be home?".' He continued: 'She went into labour and gave birth. He got up there, obviously off his nut, and he got to do the important thing, the birth certificate, which I think you have to sign. 'He agreed to the name Daniel but he spelt it Danial - D-A-N-I-A-L. It could've been a mix of things - that he was battered, that he doesn't spell. It could've been a bit of both.' The former soap star - who played Mick Carter on the BBC One show - admitted he had always planned to change his name to Danny anyway. He said: 'As I got into the acting years I sort of decided ... I changed it. It was always going to be Danny. I thought Danny was a better name, it has a better ring to it.' Dyer was born in Custom House, East London, in 1977 and sadly his parents split up when he was just aged nine.
