Every now and then the rumour mill runs rife that Danny Dyer is returning to EastEnders. Christmas Day 2023 marked the 10 year anniversary of Mick’s introduction to the soap. And fans were sure he would make a spectacular comeback.
Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, but now questions are being asked again as to whether Mick is on his way back to Walford.
So, what has Danny said about an EastEnders return? Will he be making a surprise comeback? Is Danny Dyer returning to EastEnders?
How did Mick Carter leave?
Danny Dyer starred as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter for nine years from 25 December 2013 until 25 December 2022. He announced his departure in January 2022, but was on screen for the whole year prior to his exit.
Mick left the show after marrying Janine Butcher. His relationship with soulmate Linda Carter had broken down due to her alcoholism and Janine’s meddling.
After Janine fell pregnant Mick committed to her, despite his heart really lying with Linda. Janine however had set Linda up to take the fall for a car crash and when Mick found out he ended their brief union and went back to Linda.
Janine knew the police would be coming for her, so fled. Mick and Linda wanted to bring her to justice and followed her, but a dramatic crash saw the car go over the cliff in Dover and into the sea.
On Linda’s insistence Mick saved Janine and his unborn baby first and then went back for Linda, not knowing she was already safe on the shore. Mick disappeared and was presumed dead.
Is Danny Dyer returning to EastEnders?
As the show approached the anniversary of Mick’s disappearance last year there was a lot of dwelling on his character. Linda was struggling to cope with her first Christmas without him and after the return of her rapist Dean Wicks, hit the bottle again.
There was lots of talk of Mick and also close-ups of his photos on the wall in The Vic. All of this has led to speculation of a return for Danny Dyer to EastEnders.
With Linda involved in the huge storyline at Christmas as one of ‘The Six’ women who killed one of ‘The Seven’ men on Christmas Day, fans predicted Mick was somehow involved.
However, it turned out that although Linda was the killer, Keanu Taylor was the murder victim. Sadly there was no sign of Mick anywhere.
Rumours of a return
Back in December 2023, Danny caused a commotion when he announced on his Instagram he was “going back”, but it turned out he was talking about returning to another well-loved project The Football Factory. The sports drama was coming back to celebrate its 20th anniversary, seeing Danny reunite with director Nick Love to star in the film.
And, as on-set pictures were released of Danny filming new Sky comedy series Mr Bigstuff, some media outlets led fans to believe the role was back in EastEnders.
So, what has Danny Dyer said about a return?
After his EastEnders exit, Danny appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show and revealed his real reason for leaving EastEnders.
“It’s a very emotional thing, it’s such a big part of me,” he told the host.
“I tell you what it is, I’m lazy,” he continued. “It’s [bleeping] hard. Thirty pages you’ve got to learn a day. It’s like a film a week.”
Discussing Danny’s final scenes on the show, Jonathan pointed out that Mick’s body was never found.
Danny replied: “If it goes [bleep] up I can go back. I can turn up in three years’”
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