Danny Dyer has opened up about his departure from EastEnders, revealing that a change in leadership and creative direction led to his exit. The actor, who played Mick Carter from 2013 to 2022, said a new producer 'didn't like the Carters' and began sacking cast members, including his on-screen son and daughter.
Speaking on ITV's new series The Assembly, Dyer explained that the producer split his character from wife Linda and paired him with Janine Butcher. 'I thought, "Janine? But she murders people." So I thought, "I've got to get out,"' he said, adding that his character's disappearance at sea was a way to leave.
Dyer also credited EastEnders with saving his life, saying he had 'bailiffs at my door' before joining the soap. 'It saved my life because I had bailiffs at my door and I thought: "Oh s**t, I'm going to lose my house."' He described his first four years as 'incredible' before the producer change.
When asked about a possible return, Dyer joked: 'If it all goes t**s up, then I'll turn up in the pub with seaweed all over me.' The interview airs on Saturday 26 April at 10.05pm on ITV1.
