Danny Dyer has admitted he had wanted to quit EastEnders ‘for a while’ as he speaks out for the first time since announcing his departure from the soap.
The actor, 44, is leaving his role as Mick Carter on the BBC series after nine years and said he now wants to try other things.
Speaking on his Sorted With The Dyers podcast, he said: ‘When you’re in a job like a soap your contract comes up for renewal and every time it has they’ve asked me to stay, and I’m very grateful for that. Because I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. It’s very tough.
Candid: Danny Dyer has admitted he had wanted to quit EastEnders ‘for a while’ as he speaks out for the first time since announcing his departure from the soap
‘I always debate whether I want to sign again and I’ve been contemplating a while now about whether it’s time to roll the dice, take the leap.
‘The big news is I’ve decided not to renew my contract. That’s all. That’s not because I’ve fallen out with anybody, I love everybody. That job has been amazing for me. It’s an important part of television.’
The soap star insisted there’s no ‘big story’ behind his departure, other than he wants to try other things.
He said he knows some people will be sad to see him leave Albert Square while others might be pleased.
Moving on: The actor, 44, is leaving his role as Mick Carter on the BBC series after nine years and said he now wants to try other things
Danny added that he has played Mick for nine years and now thinks the character needs to be rested.
The actor, who said he has always been ambitious, is still looking for his ‘defining role’ and wants to have ‘another go’.
Danny admitted it feels weird to walk away from a job that has been such a big part of his life, but he thinks the time is right.
The actor promised EastEnders fans that Mick’s exit is going to be ‘very powerful’ and the door will be left open for him to return to Walford.
Speaking to his daughter Dani, he said: ‘Let me tell you something – Mick’s exit is going to be a very, very powerful thing. I would love the door to be left open, and as far as I know it is.
Danny said: ‘I always debate whether I want to sign again and I’ve been contemplating a while now about whether it’s time to roll the dice, take the leap’
So, who knows. When I go out there and I fail miserably I can come back with my tail between my legs and go: ‘Will you take me back?’
‘But I just want to send out some love to everyone at EastEnders. I love you all very much. It’ll be a sad year for me, but I’m also very excited about it.
‘So, we’re going to attack this year, and we’re going to make this year, we’re going to craft it, we’re going to manipulate it, and we’re going to make this year a f***ing special one.’
It comes after Danny reportedly signed up to a new drama series with Sky for a six-figure sum.
A spokesperson for the BBC show confirmed that Danny would be leaving Walford later this year, but insisted that there will still be more drama in store for Mick ahead of his exit.
The spokesperson said: ‘Danny will be leaving EastEnders when his contract comes to an end later this year.
‘Danny has made Mick Carter an iconic character which we shall always be grateful for, however we won’t be saying goodbye just yet as there’s still quite some time – and plenty of explosive drama for Mick – to come before he departs Walford. ‘
A friend of Danny’s said: ‘Danny loves EastEnders but as an actor he feels the time is right to explore other roles.
‘He’s incredibly grateful to the show and the opportunities it has given him and it wasn’t a decision he took lightly but after playing Mick for nearly nine years he feels it’s time to give the character of Mick a rest.’
Long-standing character: The actor has played the character of Mick Carter on the popular BBC soap since 2013
‘He’s not sure how they are going to write him out yet but he’s hoping that they leave the door open for Mick.’
An EastEnders source added: ‘Danny made the decision quite some time ago that he would leave the show this year which has given bosses plenty of time to plan a huge storyline for him.
‘With Kellie set to return very soon, the Carters are going to be at the heart of some big drama this year.’
While the deal is less than his alleged £1 million ‘golden handcuffs’ deal with the BBC, it is thought it will open the door to new lucrative opportunities.
Opportunities: While the deal is less than his alleged £1 million ‘golden handcuffs’ deal with the BBC, it is thought it will open the door to new lucrative opportunities
As well has his alleged new Sky project, Danny is to star in a short film directed by a 17-year-old in a bid to raise money for mental health charities.
Stepping Stone is written, directed and produced by first-time filmmaker Noah Caplan, who was inspired to begin work on the project when his younger sister suffered a life-threatening accident.
The 30-minute film, which has now wrapped, follows four characters from different walks of life suffering issues including domestic abuse, alcoholism and living with anxiety.
Raising awareness: Danny is to star in a short film directed by 17-year-old Noah Caplan in a bid to raise money for mental health charities
It aims to highlight how the first step towards gaining help is speaking to someone.
Alongside EastEnders actor Danny, the film also stars Noah, David ‘Sideman’ Whitely and Georgia Moncur, while Cush Berlyn plays the role of a counsellor.
Stepping Stone is described as a project aiming ‘to break the negative stigmas surrounding mental health and get the world talking about an issue that is so rife’.
Star power: Stepping Stone is written, directed and produced by first-time filmmaker Noah, who worked on the project when his younger sister suffered a life-threatening accident
It is due for release in early 2022 and has been created in support of Calm and other mental health charities.
Danny said: ‘The power of this thing (the mind) is a mad old thing, so we’ve got look after it.’
Speaking about Noah, he added: ‘I was very, very impressed. Barely 17 years old. The fact he’s got his s**t together the way he has and pulled this all together is pretty amazing. I really enjoyed myself. It was a pleasure.’
Noah said: ‘It was an absolute honour to work on this film with Danny Dyer and this fantastic team.
‘This is a passion project that I have been working on since my sister was involved in and survived a tragic accident and I saw the effect this had on me and everyone around me.
‘I am so grateful that this experience led me to give back to the world, through the power of film.’
He added: ‘Mental health is something very close to my heart and I hope this film can help other people.
‘As a family, mental health has always been an open discussion, and I want to help bring that conversation into many other households and friendship groups.
‘With this film we hope to put the subject matter in the limelight, using familiar faces and extravagant storytelling. My goal is to make mental health an open discussion.’
Important topics: The 30-minute film, which has now wrapped, follows four characters from different walks of life suffering issues including domestic abuse and alcoholism
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