Danny Dyer has confessed that he and his younger brother Tony were complete opposites in his revealing documentary exploring modern masculinity. The English actor's programme Danny Dyer: How To Be a Man is climbing the Netflix rankings as it examines masculinity in contemporary Britain.
Two-Episode Series on Masculinity
The two-episode series, which first aired on Channel 4 in 2024, follows Dyer across the UK as he explores topics surrounding men's mental health and masculine identity. Throughout the documentary, audiences meet his younger brother Tony, who was born two years after Danny in 1979.
Danny revealed he faced bullying at school for attending acting lessons as a teenager and was eager to address the stigma surrounding gender stereotypes. Tony acknowledged that at school: 'If you didn't like football, none of the boys wanted to play with you.'
Different Childhoods on a Council Estate
Danny and Tony grew up on an East London council estate but experienced childhood very differently. While Danny concentrated on stereotypical 'boys'' pursuits like football, Tony possessed the self-assurance to pursue his interests irrespective of conventional gender norms.
Danny spoke candidly about his brother in the documentary, revealing how unlike himself, Tony wasn't scared to play with dolls as a youngster. He said: 'Me and my brother, who came out of the same womb, had the same upbringing, but we're so different. I've got so much respect for him. Never in a million years would I have had the b****** to have picked up a doll if I wanted to play with a doll. Just not what boys do, you know? So I look back on it and I think f****** good for you bruv.'
Tony Missed Danny's Wedding
Tony was unable to attend Danny Dyer's wedding to Joanne Mas in 2016 because his wife was in labour. Speaking to Female First at the time, Danny said: 'My sister, she's my best girl and I loved her with all my heart. She stepped in at the last moment, which is great because she is five months pregnant too. She's a special girl.'
Danny Dyer: How To Be a Man is available on Netflix.
