Danny Dyer admits to being ‘very attached’ to EastEnders for saving his career
Danny Dyer has opened up about leaving EastEnders before his final scenes on the popular soap, crediting it with saving his career.
The 45-year-old actor will step down from his role as Mick Carter in an explosive Christmas special after nine years on the show.
Speaking about his decision to quit, Danny said it wasn’t easy for him because he was “so attached” to the show.
‘Enclosed’: Danny Dyer has opened up about leaving EastEnders ahead of his final scenes on the popular soap, crediting it with saving his career
He said Sun: ‘I was wondering if I had made the right decision. It is very emotional for me. I am very attached to this show. So in making the decision that I made, I didn’t do it lightly because it’s a big job to walk away from.’
Danny has been open about his struggles with drinking and drugs and credits EastEnders for turning his life around when he was cast in 2013.
He said: ‘When I got on this show, I was in a fucking car accident. I can’t believe they gave me a chance. My career was on his fucking ass. I made a lot of bad decisions and I was in a bad place, and Dominic Treadwell Collins took a chance on me.’
Speaking about filming his final scenes, he said it was very emotional with “a lot of tears” being shed.
Departure: The actor, 45, is leaving his role as Mick Carter in an explosive Christmas Day special after nine years on the show.
He also confessed to stealing a stool from the Old Vic as a memento from his time in Albert Square.
Speaking about his explosive outing, Danny quipped, “I wanted it to be a fitting ending and I hope it is.” It’s the end of an era.’
It comes after Danny said in June that his departure would be hugely dramatic and hinted that it would end with Mick’s death.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: ‘It’s huge and it’s going to upset some people. I will miss everyone, but I want to go out properly. I went in well and I want to go out well.
Tough: Speaking about his decision to quit, Danny said it wasn’t easy for him because he was “so attached” to the show.
‘I wish I could tell you more. In the next few months she’s going to learn quite a bit about what we’re going to do, but I can tell you it’s huge.’
He added: ‘I want to go out in a way that gets people talking. It’s something that needs to be discussed more openly and I think it’s going to surprise some people.”
Danny continued, “I’ve done ten years, over 1,000 episodes, and it’s time to call it quits. I just want the right ending. I don’t want to get in the back of a cab!”
Earlier this year, Danny admitted he wanted to leave EastEnders ‘for a while’ when he spoke for the first time since announcing his departure from the soap.
speaking in his Sorted with the Dyers PodcastHe said: ‘When you’re in a job like a soap, your contract comes up for renewal and every time it does I’ve been asked to stay, and I’m very grateful for that. Because I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. it’s very hard
I always debate if I want to re-sign and have been contemplating for a while if it’s time to roll the dice, take the leap.
‘The great news is that I have decided not to renew my contract. That is all. That’s not because I’ve had a fight with anyone, I love everyone. That work has been amazing to me. It is an important part of television.
Speaking at the time, the soap opera star insisted there is no “big story” behind her departure, other than that she wants to try other things.
A spokesman for the BBC program confirmed that Danny would leave Walford at the end of this year, but insisted that there will still be more drama for Mick before his departure.
The spokesperson said: ‘Danny will leave EastEnders when his contract expires later this year.
“Danny has made Mick Carter an iconic character for whom we will always be grateful, however we won’t say goodbye just yet as there is still quite a bit of time – and plenty of explosive drama for Mick – before he leaves Walford. ‘
Say goodbye: Speaking about filming his final scenes, he said it was very emotional with ‘a lot of tears’ being shed