Danny Dyer and his daughter Dani are facing criticism over their new Sky One series, The Dyers' Caravan Park, which sees the actor investing in Priory Hill & Nutts Farm Holiday Park in Kent. The show aims to revive the fortunes of British seaside caravanning, but some have questioned the venture's authenticity and impact.
Dyer, known for his role in Rivals, has been hands-on at the park, cleaning caravans, dressing as a children's entertainer, and even dealing with pool contamination. He says he wants to bring back the community spirit of his childhood holidays on Canvey Island, lamenting that such places are 'dying out'. However, critics argue that the show risks being a vanity project that exploits working-class nostalgia.
The series is produced by Expectation TV, the company behind Clarkson's Farm, and follows a similar format of a celebrity outsider guided by local experts. But unlike the Cotswolds setting of Clarkson's show, Leysdown-on-Sea is a deprived area, and some residents are struggling. One local business displayed a sign reading 'Closed for now due to problems'.
Despite the criticism, the Dyers remain committed. Dani has introduced glamping to the site, and the pair organised a sports day including a 'granny prix' mobility scooter race, costing around £10,000. Co-owner Jimi Butcher says the hype in Leysdown is already 'incredible', and the show may boost tourism to the area, which has stunning views across the bay to Whitstable.
Dyer acknowledges snobbery around caravanning, calling it a 'working-class holiday'. He hopes to attract younger generations who might otherwise holiday abroad. 'Can we get kids out all day, getting naturally tired instead of having their brain just zapped all day?' he asks. The show airs on Sky One.
