Danny Dyer says ‘EastEnders’ has had a "tough couple of years", but the soap is "coming out of the end of it".
The ‘EastEnders’ actor admitted portraying Mick Carter on the BBC One soap can be "difficult" at times, but he praised new boss Kate Oates after she took over as the show’s senior executive producer, admitting she "knows her game" and is pointing the programme in the right direction.
Speaking backstage at the National Television Awards at London’s The O2 on Tuesday night (22.01.19), Danny told BANG Showbiz and other media: "It’s a creative place, it’s a difficult place to work, we’ve had a tough couple of years.
"We’re coming out of the end of it now.
"Kate Oates has come in and she’s great. She knows her game.
"I’m very blessed. I’m earning a living, feeding my kids."
Danny picked up the Serial Drama Performance prize on the night for his role as Mick, who he has played since December 2013, and admits he didn’t expect to still be on the soap.
He said: "I’m grateful for the job, it’s a great job. I never thought I’d last as long as I have to be honest. I’ve been blessed with a really good character. He’s got a lot of attributes, it’s not just one thing."
Danny made an emotional speech at the ceremony as he picked up his accolade, and admitted afterwards he felt his mentor, the late Harold Pinter – who passed away in 2008 aged 78 – had given him "a little gift" from beyond the grave.
He said: "I feel very connected to Harold Pinter, who was very important to me, and I realise that now. I took him for granted slightly.
"He’s been gone for 10 years and I’m doing a play at the moment, doing ‘The Dumb Waiter’, and I feel really connected to him at the moment. Maybe this is a little gift from him, I don’t know."
Danny Dyer says EastEnders is ‘coming out of a tough couple of years’
