While he may have taken on a series of new projects since bowing out of Albert Square, Danny Dyer explained to Toby Tarrant how difficult his EastEnders exit really was off-screen.

Danny Dyer found it hard to let go of EastEnders, recalling an “emotional” departure during a chat with Toby Tarrant.

The presenter, 32, filled in for Chris Moyles on Radio X this Tuesday, July 9, welcoming the 46-year-old star on Chris’ eponymous radio show.

During their exchange, Danny – who was made into a household name while pulling pints at The Queen Vic on the BBC One programme – opened up about his shocking exit from the London-based series, aired in 2022, after portraying pub landlord Mick Carter for less than a decade.

Regular soap watchers will remember the fan favourite vanished at sea after trying to save Janine Butcher and his estranged wife Linda Carter from drowning.

“It’s emotional. I mean, I think if you’re ready to leave, you’re ready to leave. But of course, it does bring stability”, he first admitted, before recognising how important the show had become, due to Danny’s long commitment to the programme, from 2013 to 2022. “It’s your whole world that show. You know, you’re there all day, you’re learning sort of 30 pages a day if you’ve got a big storyline, you know what I mean?”

“You’re not seeing a lot of your own family. So it’s got its perks, but you’re also sort of tied to the show; you’re not really allowed to do other stuff. You know, you’re working for the BBC. So, you know, it was very emotional.” He added: “Of course, you love the people there, you know what I mean? They’re such a big part of your life, and then it just stops. But it is just another gig, that’s the thing.”

Danny continued: “it was a nine-year gig for me, but the nature of my game is that you all get thrown together, you try and make this piece of work, you know, brilliant, and then it all stops. Like, seven weeks you’re all together being pals and, you know, being supported, and then you just wake up and it’s ended. And as an actor, I think you always give a little bit of your soul to the part, you know?”

While Mick’s body was never recovered on-screen, police have presumed him dead, leaving Linda devastated – and fans speculating a twist may be ahead. Mick’s exit has also left on-screen mother Shirley Carter with no other option but to leave Walford to seek comfort in estranged children, Carly and Dean Wicks.

Another exit fans struggle to cope with as they’ve begged for actress Linda Henry to reprise her role as the no-nonsense resident. Danny, on the other hand, has neither confirmed nor denied his alter ego will be back, though he isn’t against a potential comeback. Since his exit, he’s taken on other projects and even ruled out one programme, despite being invited for an appearance by bosses.