EASTENDERS fans are gutted by the shock news Danny Dyer has quit the soap after nine years.
The 44-year-old actor, who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, is believed to have been poached by Sky and signed for a rival drama in a six-figure deal.
As word spread about his imminent departure, Danny’s fans vented their upset.
One said: “I genuinely can’t believe that Danny Dyer is leaving #EastEnders…
“I’m hoping they give Mick Carter an open ending so that he has the chance to return in the future, however if Danny is truly done with the show, then I just want to say thank you for everything. Miss you already!”
Someone else said: “Another character I really like, leaving the show. I’m sad to see Danny leave.”
Another added: “I can’t lie I’m gutted Danny’s going.
“It really feels like the end of the Carter era now. I just hope they give them the final storyline they deserve.
“Will be so sad not seeing Dan and Kel working together anymore but I will always look forward to what’s next.”
A viewer commented: “So shocked to hear Danny Dyer has quit #Eastenders, but wonder how Mick Carter will leave?”
Danny has previously taken leave from playing Mick to pursue other interests but always returned to the role he has held since 2013.
In 2019 he took a six-week break to appear in a series of plays paying tribute to his mentor Harold Pinter alongside Martin Freeman.
Danny is tied to a gruelling soap schedule but has taken work away from the show recently, hosting a Spotify podcast – Sorted With The Dyers.
He presents the show, where he helps solve listeners’ problems, with Love Island star daughter Dani, who he has also appeared on EastEnders with.
The star has also hosted gameshow The Wall since 2019 – a move which took his BBC salary from £400,000 to a reported £1million.
He has also appeared on the likes of Who Do You Think You Are? where he discovered he was related – albeit very distantly – to King Edward III.
Despite taking a pay cut by leaving his BBC role, he will now be free to pursue bigger opportunities outside the Corporation that could see his income rocket.
A friend of the actor explained: “Danny loves EastEnders but as an actor he feels the time is right to explore other roles.
“He’s incredibly grateful to the show and the opportunities it has given him and it wasn’t a decision he took lightly but after playing Mick for nearly nine years he feels it’s time to give the character of Mick a rest.
“He’s not sure how they are going to write him out yet but he’s hoping that they leave the door open for Mick.”
An EastEnders source added: “Danny made the decision quite some time ago that he would leave the show this year which has given bosses plenty of time to plan a huge storyline for him.
“With Kellie [Bright, who plays Linda] set to return very soon, the Carters are going to be at the heart of some big drama this year.”
But his departure is set to leave the popular soap with huge shoes to fill.
A spokesperson for the soap said tonight: “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.”
