EastEnders: This is why Danny Dyer is leaving the show

It’s official, Danny Dyer is leaving EastEnders later this year. This weekend, it was revealed that the 44-year-old actor is leaving the soap to take on a new role in a Sky drama. The news was confirmed by anEastEnders spokesperson on Saturday night, who 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.

Danny Dyer’s EastEnders exit

While fans of the soap have been left shocked by the news, Danny reportedly let bosses know about his plans to leave the show ‘quite some time ago.’ This means that the show’s writers have been able to plan a big exit storyline. It’s not clear yet how Mick will be leaving Albert Square, but it seems unlikely he’ll be killed off as, according to one of Danny’s pals, ‘he’s hoping that they leave the door open for Mick.’ That’s a bit of good news for Mick Carter fans at least!

Why is Danny Dyer leaving EastEnders?

According to reports, Danny has been ‘poached’ by Sky, who have offered him a six-figure deal for a role on a new drama. Danny is said to have been ‘driven mad’ by his £1 million golden handcuffs deal with the BBC, which meant he couldn’t accept many of the other projects he was being offered. The actor has also previously stated he’s been burnt out by the intense EastEnders filming schedule.