Danny Dyer on Family, Royalty, and His Tough Guy Image

It’s a bright, sunny day in Essex, and I’m settling in with the Dyer family at their lovely hillside home. The house, decorated in elegant white and grey tones, features a grand marble kitchen island and a bulldog named Debbie. Debbie, who is quite sizable, ambles across the tiles toward Jo, Danny Dyer’s partner of over 30 years, who is currently dressed in white and searching for a missing T-shirt. Their teenage daughter, Sunnie, makes a fleeting appearance to grab a bottle of water on her way to college. Artie, the youngest at 10, is at school, while their eldest daughter, Dani, is in Germany supporting her footballer boyfriend, Jarrod Bowen, at the Euros with their three young children. Builders work hard on the patio, and the sun reflects off various awards displayed on the shelves. Amidst this bustling scene, Danny Dyer himself sips a tiny coffee and cheerfully calls everyone “baby.”

Standing in the awards alcove, Dyer gives an impromptu tour of his career highlights with a proud smile. “I’ve nicked a few awards over the years, I suppose,” he chuckles. Awards from his nine years on “EastEnders” are prominently displayed, including a National Television Award he once dedicated to his mentor, Harold Pinter, and children living in poverty. A framed photo of Pinter and an Attitude Award for being a “straight ally” remind him of his varied roles. Initially, he assumed his “EastEnders” character would be a stereotypical tough guy but was surprised to find his initial storyline involved his son’s coming out, making him an unexpectedly supportive father figure.

This marks a big year for Danny Dyer. He’s debuting in TV comedy with Ryan Sampson’s “Mr Bigstuff” on Sky, starring in Disney’s adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s “Rivals”, and featuring in a football hooliganism movie titled “Marching Powder.” Today, he’s dressed casually with a noticeable large gold watch. Ahead of him on the pristine kitchen counter sits a baby’s dummy and some white dice, perhaps symbolizing his multifaceted life. His family has momentarily left, giving him space to reflect on his long relationship with Jo, whom he’s been with since they were teenagers.

Growing up on a council estate in east London, Dyer faced his share of adversity, including his father’s abandonment. Drama eventually became his outlet, thanks to a teacher who encouraged him to join a Saturday club. That decision led to his first acting role at 16 in “Prime Suspect.” Two years later, he and Jo had their first child, Dani. The name similarity between them has even been the subject of jokes on social media, but Dyer remains unfazed.

Reflecting on his diverse career, Dyer acknowledges a recurring challenge: being perceived as just playing himself. He notes a hint of classism in this perception, linked to his cockney accent and candid public persona. His appearances in documentaries such as “Danny Dyer’s Deadliest Men” perhaps added to this impression, revealing too much of himself to the audience. However, these roles also bolstered his popularity and fame, despite early tabloid scandals and personal struggles with drugs that led him to rehab and ultimately, a calmer, family-focused life.

Dyer shares his philosophy on happiness, stressing the importance of extracting as much joy from life as possible. During his time in rehab, he explored the roots of his personal issues, including abandonment by his father and the loss of his beloved grandfather to cancer. The turning point for him came when he met Harold Pinter, who became a father figure. Despite pushing his “fuck-it button” after Pinter’s death, therapy and the BBC’s genealogical show “Who Do You Think You Are?” helped him understand himself better. The revelation that he was a direct descendant of King Edward III and Thomas Cromwell added layers to his self-awareness. Dyer found comfort in their unlikely rise to prominence, much like his own.

Despite any regrets about his public persona, Dyer’s documentaries and projects were career moves necessary to support his family. One pivotal project was the film “The Football Factory,” which brought him fame but not financial security. He sees his acting career as a trade, akin to any other profession requiring skill and hustle.

Moving away from the council estate to provide a better life for his children, Dyer now faces the challenge of instilling working-class values in a wealthier environment. The family’s relocation to Essex reflects his efforts to balance success with grounded living.

Known too for his political candor, Dyer has critiqued figures such as David Cameron amidst Brexit chaos. He questions the media’s portrayal of him and broader societal issues, including class disparity and cancel culture.

With the upcoming election, Dyer feels disillusioned by the political landscape, expressing skepticism toward both the current and opposition leadership. He hopes for genuine, working-class representation in politics and wishes Angela Rayner would take the lead.

In “Mr Bigstuff,” Dyer’s character tackles the idea of modern masculinity, which resonates deeply with him. He reflects on the balance between being tough and emotionally open, attributes he admires in his daughter’s partner, West Ham forward Bowen, who has shown commendable commitment to their family.

As a 46-year-old grandfather, Dyer finds immense joy in his new role, humorously describing the chaos of babysitting. Juggling career and family, he relates to the transient nature of professional life, understanding the need to cherish every moment.

Ultimately, Dyer embraces his age and lifestyle, proud of his journey from troubled youth to content, reflective adult. He looks ahead with a determination to savor life, embodied by the dice he figuratively rolls every day.

Source: The Observer, The Guardian