EastEnders icon Danny Dyer is making a highly-anticipated comeback for the sequel of The Football Factory, according to reports.
His soap character Mick Carter, the beloved former landlord of the Queen Vic, as viewers know, vanished at sea without a trace over the festive season in 2022 – very much in the vein of Neighbours’ Harold Bishop in 1991.
His intentions for getting into the treacherous waves were honourable, as he set out to save his beloved soulmate Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), after a pregnant Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) drove the pair of them into the water.
Mick, under Linda’s instruction, saved scheming Janine and their unborn child first before returning to the ocean in order to retrieve his one true love, unaware of the fact that she had safely made it to shore.
Before EastEnders, Danny’s other notable role was Tommy Johnson in 2004 sports drama The Football Factory, and with the film celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the hardman is reprising his role.
In March, he was pictured filming a violent fist fight with a gang of men on set.
The images showed Danny, 46, holding a metal pole, appearing to get ready for battle before being set upon by a group of lads who kick him to the ground.
Baring an angry expression, the London-born soap star gritted his teeth as he launched himself at the men.
An insider told The Sun: ‘It’s full steam ahead for Football Factory 2 and filming is due to start in January.
‘The hope is they can turn it around quickly enough so it comes out in 2024 – in time for the 20th anniversary.’
They added: ‘It’s a real passion project for Danny who can’t wait to get his teeth back into the role.’
Danny’s soap exit brought to an end a hugely popular era for EastEnders, leaving fans devastated to lose such an iconic character.
Last year, he discussed his reasons for leaving the show, commenting that it was largely due to the decline in standard.
