'EastEnders' Actor Danny Dyer 'Didn't Want To Be A Soap Actor' At First... But Says Mick Carter Role Saved Him From 'Celebrity Big Brother' House

''EastEnders' Saved Me From F***ing 'Celebrity Big Brother''
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Danny Dyer has credited ‘EastEnders’ with saving his career, claiming that if he’d not bagged the part of Mick Carter he’d probably have been in the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house by now.

According to Danny, before joining the BBC soap he was considered a joke in the industry due to his less-than-glittering film career.

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Danny Dyer

Describing his career shortly before arriving in Albert Square in a new interview with The Sun, he says: “I wasn’t in a good place. I was disheartened.

"I was playing the same role and I was bored. I was a laughing stock, really: Danny Dyer film - straight to bargain bin.

“I went through a period of being a bit of a joke to people. On Twitter I’d get a lot of hate, people think I’m thick, and I used to bite because I can be quite witty.”

He goes on to reveal that he wasn’t initially sold on the idea of being in ‘EastEnders’, after traditionally playing “hardman” roles in the likes of ‘Mean Machine’ and ‘The Football Factory’.

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Danny, in character, as Mick

However, after being persuaded by his agent to meet with executive producer Dominic Treadwell Collins, he now admits he’s glad he did, saying ‘EastEnders’ turned his career around.

"Dom said: ‘You’re an alpha male, I’m not going to change you, but I want you to have a sensitive side and a dark side that will slowly unravel.’

“I was at a low ebb until this perfect marriage of EastEnders came along. If Dom hadn’t read that interview, I’d probably be doing f***ing ‘Big Brother’ now.”

Since joining ‘EastEnders’ at the end of 2013, Danny has been a hit with the show’s loyal fans, becoming involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines, including the rape of his wife, Linda, by their nephew.

He was also named Best Soap Actor at this year’s TV Choice Awards, for his portrayal of Mick Carter, though it’s safe to say he’ll probably be remembered for the erratic speech he gave on the night...

'EastEnders': Sexiest Ever Stars
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Martin KempStarred As: Steve Owen1998-2002 (credit:Michael Stephens/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
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Hetti BywaterStarred As: Lucy Beale 2012-2014 (credit:PA)
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Nigel HarmanStarred as: Dennis Rickman2003-2005 (credit:Ian West/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
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Lacey Turner Starred As: Stacey Slater 2004-2010, 2014 (credit:PA)
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Nick BerryStarred As: Simon Wicks1985-2012 (credit:Andrew Shaw/EMPICS Entertainment)
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Jacqueline JossaStars As: Lauren Branning2010-Present (credit:PA)
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Gary LucyStarred As: Danny Pennant2012-2014 (credit:Ian West/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
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Martine McCutcheonStarred As: Tiffany Mitchell1995-1998 (credit:Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
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Matt LapinskasStarred As: Anthony Moon2011-2012 (credit:PA)
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Michelle RyanStarred As: Zoe Slater2000-2005 (credit:Myung Jung Kim/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
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Tony DisciplineStarred As: Tyler Moon 2011-2013 (credit:Getty Images)
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Michelle CollinsStarred As: Cindy Beale1988-1998 (credit:Getty Images)
2012 First Light Awards - London(13 of31)
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Steve John ShepherdStarred As: Michael Moon2010-2013 (credit:PA)
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Jack RyderStarred As: Jamie Mitchell1998-2002 (credit:PA)
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Jessie WallaceStars As: Kat Slater2000-2005, 2010-Present (credit:PA)
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John PartridgeStarred As: Christian Clarke2008-2012 (credit:PA)
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Letitia DeanStars As: Sharon Watts1985-1995, 2001-2006, 2012-Present (credit:Matt Crossick/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
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Paul NichollsStarred As... Joe Wicks1996-1997 (credit:Tim Whitby/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
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Kara TointonStarred As: Dawn Swann 2005-2009 (credit:Getty Images)
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Michael GrecoStarred As: Beppe di Marco1998-2002 (credit:PA)
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Louisa LyttonStarred As: Ruby Allen2005-2006 (credit:PA)
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Danny DyerStars As: Mick Carter2013-Present (credit:PA)
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Preeya KalidasStarred As: Amira Masoon2009-2012 (credit:Getty Images)
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Scott MaslenStarred As: Jack Branning2007-2013 (credit:PA)
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Robert KazinskyStarred As: Sean Slater2006-2009 (credit:Getty Images)
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Shona McGartyStars As: Whitney Dean2008-Present (credit:Getty Images)
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Neil McDermottStarred As: Ryan Malloy2009-2011 (credit:PA)
National Television Awards 2011 - Arrivals - London(28 of31)
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Kylie BabbingtonStarred As: Jodie Gold2010-2011 (credit:PA)
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Matt Di AngeloStars As: Deano Wicks2006-2008, 2014-Present (credit:PA)
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Tiana BenjaminStarred As: Chelsea Fox2006-2010 (credit:Getty Images)
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Joe SwashStarred As: Mickey Miller2003-2008 (credit:PA)