Former EastEnders star Danny Dyer has said he’d be willing to return to the BBC soap as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations next year.

The actor, 47, played Mick Carter for nine years before the character went missing, presumed dead at Christmas 2022.

Since then we’ve seen wife Linda (Kellie Bright) struggle with her grief and hit the bottle again.

Her behaviour worsened when abuser Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) returned to Albert Square, and she later found herself an unlikely murderer when she drove a meat thermometer through Keanu Taylor’s (Danny Walters) back to stop him from throttling best pal Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).

Since Mick’s disappearance, fans have become convinced that one day he could return to Walford as his body was never found – and Danny certainly hasn’t ruled it out.

Last month he exclaimed ‘bring back Mick!’ whilst presenting a gong at the National Television Awards.

Now adding more fuel to the rumours that could return for the big 4-0, which is to be commemorated with a live episode in February.

Despite claiming that his NTAs comment was a ‘joke’, Danny told the KISS Breakfast Radio Show that he would love to return.

‘I would be up for going back for the 40th anniversary, but nobody’s contacted me’ he said.’

‘I’ve chucked it out there. I think I need to go back and save my wife Linda, who’s now become a murderess.

‘It does worry me a bit.’

Despite his insistence that Mick should return, Danny has stayed consistently busy since his departure, and is currently starring in Jilly Cooper adaption Rivals for Disney+.

He also had a leading role in Mr Bigstuff for Sky, which has been commissioned for a second series.