Danny Dyer quits BBC's EastEnders after signing on for new Sky drama
In: Drama rates
Danny Dyer left EastEnders after signing on for a new Sky drama.
The star, who has played Queen owner Vic Mick Carter since 2013, has signed on for a drama on the satellite channel, with an estimated six-figure deal.
It's believed to be a lot less than the so-called £ 1million a year 'golden handcuff' deal he made with the BBC.
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However, this will open the door to a plethora of deals that could ultimately eclipse what he is earning now, mirror reports.
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The BBC's strict rules kept him from appearing on rival channels – which angered Cockney, 44, and some of his fellow co-stars.
A source said: 'Danny has deals coming in left-to-right and center, and a lot of things he's wanted to do he can't because EastEnders have such strict rules on what he can. and can not do.
"It drove him crazy at times and he's now ready for a change.
"But it was not easy to go away, the bosses of the BBC desperately wanted to keep him.
"But he insisted and when Sky walked over they made him an offer he couldn't refuse. It's a new chapter for Dan and he's over the moon."
The exact date of his departure is not known, but the writers must now turn their pens to Mick's exit plot.
And bosses are all too aware that they are losing their most valuable asset.
Audience figures have plummeted and the morale of the program is said to be "at an all-time low."
The source said: "There has been a lot of tension about Danny leaving because he's their No.1 star. To say they were upset to see him go is an understatement. But in the end, they didn't. could not convince him.
A father of three, Danny first appeared on EastEnders in December 2013. The move paid off as audience numbers rose and Danny landed a string of accolades for his role.
Danny Dyer plays Mick Carter in EastEnders
(Image: scu)
Viewers loved his character Mick, the gritty-voiced owner who had to deal with family conflicts, rivalries, betrayals – and in the final episodes he fought the advances of Albert Square scheming Janine, performed by Charlie Brooks.
Mick has been involved in a series of explosive plots over the years, including an affair with his stepdaughter, a robbery gone awry, and his brother's rape of his wife.
Danny once said he found his role so exhausting that he resorted to IV booster drops for energy.
In April 2020, his rep said Danny was considering leaving – but eventually signed a new deal.
It happened after the star was filmed telling fans, "It takes my life, it does. I haven't signed yet. I'm supposed to sign in October, but I might give it away. elbow.
When fans asked him when he was releasing another movie, Danny replied, "Damn, tell me about this."
Earlier that year, Danny took time off the soap opera as he was "exhausted" from nonstop work since joining the show.
In January 2020, he told the Sunday Mirror: "I did a lot of things last year and I got a little burned out."
Since 2019, Danny has also hosted the game show The Wall – as part of the deal that saw his salary drop from £ 400,000 to £ 1million.
Danny Dyer on the wall
(Image: BBC)
He also appeared in BBC documentary Danny Dyer's Right Royal Family after discovering he had ties to the monarchy.
He joked that he could replace Prince Harry when he left the royal family, saying: "I am descended from royalty, so why not?"
Danny also does a podcast with his daughter Dani, 25 – Love Island winner in 2018.
He appeared in the West End Nativity Theater Show and took a six-week hiatus from EastEnders in 2019 to appear alongside Martin Freeman as part of a series of plays honoring Harold Pinter, who died in 2008.
Danny had become a close friend of the playwright over 20 years ago after playing a waiter in Celebration. He often referred to Pinter as his mentor.
Prior to EastEnders, Danny starred in blockbuster movies such as The Football Factory, Mean Machine, Human Traffic, The Trench, and Dead Man Running. He was offered a starring role in EastEnders in 2009.
But he refused, explaining in his autobiography, Straight Up, that he would join the cast only when he was "fat, bald and 50 years old".
Danny Dyer does his new BBC podcast with his daughter Dani Dyer
(Image: document)
He won Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2019. Danny and his wife Jo, meanwhile, have already started planning for retirement.
He had previously said: "We want to go to India and Cuba. We want to do everything. We have done wellness retreats. We do vinyasa, healing, drink a lot of ginger, vegan food. We are full time yogis.
A spokesperson for EastEnders said: "Danny will be leaving EastEnders when his contract ends later this year.
"Danny made Mick Carter an iconic character we will always be grateful for, but we won't be saying goodbye just yet as there is still some time – and a lot of explosive drama for Mick – before he leaves Walford. . "
A friend of Danny's said: "Danny loves EastEnders, but as an actor he thinks it's time to explore other roles. He's incredibly grateful for the show and the opportunities it has given him.
"It wasn't a decision he took lightly, but after playing Mick for almost nine years, he thinks it's time to let the character of Mick rest.
"He doesn't know how they're going to write it yet, but he hopes they'll leave the door open for Mick."
A source from EastEnders added, "Danny made the decision some time ago to quit the show this year, which gave the bosses plenty of time to plan a huge script for him.
"With Kellie Bright [screen wife Linda] set to return soon, the Carter's are going to be at the heart of a big drama.
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