Danny Dyer takes break from EastEnders

(Image credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Danny Dyer has been granted some much-needed time off by his bosses at EastEnders after some of the show’s biggest storylines that have kept him on screen more than any other character in the soap.

Since turning up in the Square on Christmas Day 2013, Dyer – who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter – has proved to be such a hit with viewers that he’s been written into as many episodes as possible.

So, the 37-year-old actor has jetted off to the Caribbean for a family holiday with wife-to-be Jo Mas, 37, and kids Sunnie, seven, and 18-month–old Arty.

A source told Mirror Online: “Everyone has been delighted with Danny’s first year on the show – he has thrown himself into the role of Mick wholeheartedly.

“But appearing in a soap isn’t really that glamorous – it is pretty full-on and can be a real treadmill of early starts, late-night filming and reading scripts.

“It can be a real shock to the system for newcomers and everyone needs some time away occasionally to re-charge their batteries and relax.

"Danny told producers he wanted to enjoy an Easter break with his family, and his filming schedule was sorted to allow him to do so.”

On The Jonathan Ross Show back in March, Dyer told the chat show host how EastEnders had taken over his life… 

"It’s completely engulfed my life,” he said. “It’s just taken over my life and it’s like I’m getting a bit of recognition all of a sudden, it’s a strange feeling."

Dyer also revealed how filming emotional scenes in the fallout of Dean raping Linda has affected him…

"I’m sick of crying,” he said. “The thing for me is I go there, I go to some dark places in my nut so that’s real tears so you go home and you’re still half crying.

“I’m not going to lie, it affects your nut.”