Danny Dyer Not Hard Enough For 'EastEnders'

20 April 2009

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Danny Dyer is too scared to star in 'EastEnders'.

The 31-year-old actor turned down a leading role in the soap because he is terrified of the fame - and media attention - that would come with it.

Dyer said: "I met John Yorke, controller of drama production. He asked if I would be willing to go in and shake up a few of the characters.

I don't want to write it off totally but at this point in my career I think it would be madness.

"He said they would write a synopsis and then take me out to dinner and anything I wanted to change, I could change, which gives me a bit of power.

"I quite liked the idea of it. But actually, in reality, I just got cold feet."

Dyer hoped a role in the hit show would soften his "hard-man image" but was scared off by the media coverage his early talks with producers attracted.

He said: "Just from having a meeting it's all over the newspapers and it gave me the horrors. Imagine if I went in it. With 'EastEnders' the whole publicity gets out of hand.

"It's like a whole new beast. It's not something I fancy. I didn't come that bad out of it because they said I was going to save the show.

"I don't want to write it off totally but at this point in my career I think it would be madness."