OVER the years, Danny Dyer has been known for his bad boy image, thanks to the roles he’s played and his tough guy exterior.
However, since leaving EastEnders the actor, 47, has shown fans his softer side and had a career u-turn – which has helped boost his bank balance.
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When Danny burst onto the scene in the late 90s, he was immediately typecast as the quintessential hard man.
He was well known for hard-hitting films like Football Factory and The Business.
Over the years, sometimes his bad boy persona has spilled out into real life – but the actor is now keen to put this all well and truly in the past.
Danny’s fans have been watching in awe as the actor has risen from the ashes and become one of TV and film‘s most likeable stars.
Since leaving the EastEnders three years ago, the actor has unleashed a brand new star, and the lucrative job offers have poured in.
His career u-turn has rewarded him favourably, so much so, the star revealed he bagged an impressive six figure salary for hosting just one show.
“How much did I get for presenting The Wall? I think I probably got maybe £100,000,” he candidly revealed.
“But, you have to work for it you know. But yeah, that’s what I got.”
SOFTER SIDE
Ditching the bad boy image and showing his softer side, has also gone down very well with fans.
He was recently seen breaking down on ITV’s new show The Assembly, after he was asked very candid questions about his life by a group of young people.
Although the show has also welcomed stars like Jade Thirlwall and David Tennant, it was Mr Dyer’s honesty and vulnerability that really went down well with viewers.
In one emotional moment, one young woman asked about his split from from wife Joanne Mas in 2000.
The couple reunited not long afterwards, but Danny revealed the impact the break-up had on him and what had led to it.
He was asked: “When Jo kicked you out she emptied your shared joint bank account, do you still have a shared bank account now?”
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Looking downcast as he remembered that painful time, Danny answered honestly and said: “I was a p***k and she deserved better.
“Sometimes I’d go out, get off my head, take drugs; I wouldn’t come home for three days.
“She had every right to throw me out. She controls everything now.”
This vulnerability went down well with fans, and in turn acted as a huge boost in Danny’s career.
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A TV source told The Sun: “Since leaving EastEnders, Danny seems to have purposely chosen to go down a totally different path.
“It’s clear he’s in a new era of his life and is showing a softer side to the hard man we’re used to seeing on telly.
“Appearing on The Assembly was a genius move. He was the best performing celebrity by miles – proving how natural, engaging and kind-hearted he is.
“There was a particularly moving moment when he was moved to tears by the young adults who looked at him in total admiration.”
The insider added: “Behind the bad boy image, Danny showed he’s an emotional family man whose days of binging and benders are far behind him.
“Stepping out of his comfort zone has shown he’s much more than a naughty East Ender.”
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BECOMING A HEARTTHROB
Another TV moment which saw Danny show off his softer side was when he played Freddie Jones in the Disney+ smash hit series, Rivals.
Who would’ve thought the former film hardman turned Queen Vic landlord would be the heartthrob of a Jilly Cooper romper – but he was.
With his fake moustache and wig, Danny charmed viewers and became the hero of the series.
The role showed a more softer, gentle Danny and in turn proved he shouldn’t always be typecast as the gruff hardman.
The actor has even admitted he loved playing “gentle soul” Freddie, and enjoyed being “more versatile” with his acting.
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Reflecting on the role, Danny told Rivals The Official Podcast: “For me, I was certainly looking to do something different… Fred, is such a lovely, gentle soul, really.”
Fans were equally impressed with the outcome.
One fan tweeted “Danny Dyer is a way better actor than people give him credit for – the warmth and nuance he gives to his character in Rivals is gorgeous.”
While another actor added: “Danny Dyer was the breakout star of Rivals! I love this softer side to him. More of this please.”
Danny’s bold step in showing a different side to himself as both an actor and a person has certainly paid off
The jobs are pouring in, and he is now one of the most sought after British actors.
Danny Dyer’s career so far
By Conor O’Brien
Danny Dyer has played several film and TV roles across a three-decade acting career.
Here’s a look back at some of his most memorable performances.
- Prime Suspect (1993): Danny made his screen debut in an episode of the long-running ITV police procedural. He appeared as a character named “Martin Fletcher”.
- Human Traffic (1999): Danny’s debut film saw him portray “Moff”, a dealer. Directed by Justin Kerrigan, the coming-of-age comedy drama also featured John Simm, Andrew Lincoln and Richard Coyle.
- Mean Machine (2001): An adaptation of The Longest Yard, this sports comedy also featured Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham. Danny played “Billy the Limpet”.
- The Football Factory (2004): Loosely based on the novel of the same name by John King. Danny led the cast of this sports drama, directed by Nick Love. He portrayed “Tommy Johnson”.
- EastEnders (2013-2022): Danny appeared in the London-set BBC soap opera for almost a decade. He played Queen Vic landlord “Mick Carter”, opposite Kellie Bright as his on-screen wife Linda.
- Rivals (2024): The actor was among an all-star ensemble cast in this Disney+ series based on Jilly Cooper’s novel. Danny played the role of “Freddie Jones”.