Danny Dyer confirms he left EastEnders because of one character

Mick and Janine stand outside the Queen Vic in EastEnders
Mick Carter and Janine Butcher began a relationship in an unexpected soap twist (Picture: BBC)

Former EastEnders star Danny Dyer has reiterated he left the BBC One soap because of one specific storyline development.

Danny left his role as Mick Carter in 2022. He was swept out to sea following a showdown between him, Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

As it stands, the Carter family have moved forward in their lives believing Mick died but because we never saw his body, there is always a chance he could return to the soap.

Danny is one of the four famous faces taking part in the latest series of The Assembly. It features a cast of 35 interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent or learning disabled.

Janine and Mick in an embrace in EastEnders
Mick disappeared at sea in 2022 (Picture: BBC)

They question Danny, David Tennant, Gary Lineker and JADE – and they must answer everything honestly.

During the instalment with Danny, one of the many questions he got asked was about EastEnders. While talking to the group, Danny spoke about how the job was offered at just the right time for him.

‘I reached a point where I’d made many mistakes in my life and no one would employ me anymore, then EastEnders came along and said “we love you – we want to put you in the Queen Vic”. That saved my life because I had bailiffs at my door. The first four years were incredible’, the star revealed.

ROCKERDALE STUDIOS FOR ITV1 AND ITVXTHE ASSEMBLYEPISODE 1Pictured: THE ASSEMBLY INTERVIEW DANNY DYER..This photograph is (C) ROCKERDALE STUDIOS productions and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/termsFor further information please contact:patrick.smith@itv.com
Danny was interviewed by a group of interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent or learning disabled (Picture: ITV)

Danny then admitted things started to change for him when Dominic Treadwell-Collins left as producer. As a result of the change in hands, a storyline aired that saw Mick begin a relationship with Janine.

The star said that once Mick got put with Janine, he began to fear the character would get killed off.

He added: ‘A new producer came in and he didn’t like the Carters. He started to sack people – my son, my daughter – they’ve still got Kellie Bright in it, who plays my wife, Linda Carter. But then they split me up from Kellie and put me with Janine.

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‘When they told me I said: “Janine? But she murders people!” I thought “oh no, if I stay too long, she’ll kill me – I’ve got to get out”. And basically I went in the sea, and was never found again.’

Also in the instalment, Danny opened up about a period in his life that saw his wife, Jo, throw him out of the house.

‘She controls everything now,’ he said, before elaborating: ‘She did kick me out because I was a p****. And she deserved better.’

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