Danny Dyer has finally opened up about the heartfelt and complicated reasons behind his dramatic EastEnders departure in 2022 — and he’s not ruling out a return just yet. In a moving appearance on ITV’s new series The Assembly, Dyer revealed the backstage struggles, creative frustrations, and personal reflections that led him to say goodbye to Mick Carter, a character who had become a Walford icon.

Speaking honestly as part of the show’s format — where a panel of 30 interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent, or learning disabled ask celebrities tough, uncensored questions — Danny didn’t hold anything back.

Reflecting on his near decade at EastEnders, Danny described the decision to leave as deeply “emotional,” especially because the soap had thrown him a vital lifeline during the lowest point of his career. “I’d made a lot of mistakes, and nobody would touch me,” he admitted. “I had bailiffs knocking at my door. Then EastEnders gave me a shot. They put me behind the bar at the Queen Vic, and honestly, it saved my life.”

For Danny, the first four years playing Mick were an incredible ride. However, things began to shift when executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins — the man who had originally championed the Carters — left the show. A new producer with a different vision took over, and suddenly, Danny’s on-screen family started getting axed one by one.

“They got rid of my son, my daughter… only Kellie Bright [Linda Carter] stayed,” Danny recalled. Even worse for him was when Mick was separated from his beloved Linda and paired with Janine Butcher — a character infamous for her murderous past. “When they told me they were putting me with Janine, I thought, ‘But she kills people!’” Danny laughed. “I just knew if I stayed too long, she’d end up killing Mick off.”

Rather than risk a grim ending at Janine’s hands, Danny chose to leave on his own terms. Mick’s final moments saw him heroically diving into the sea — but with no body recovered, there’s always been a glimmer of hope for fans. And Danny hasn’t ruled it out either, joking: “If it all goes tits up, I’ll just rock up at the Vic again, covered in seaweed!”

In typical Dyer fashion, the conversation wasn’t all heavy. He showed his trademark humor when discussing his current projects. He revealed he earned £100,000 hosting the gameshow The Wall, and he’s also made waves in the Disney+ drama Rivals, where he’s surprisingly become something of a middle-aged heartthrob.

Laughing with the Assembly panel, Danny said, “I thought my days of being a sex symbol were over — but apparently, hairy chests are back in fashion!” Showing off his own with a grin, he quipped, “If this can still be attractive, I’m very surprised!”

The chat even touched on his daughter Dani Dyer’s rise to fame after her appearance on Love Island. Danny proudly acknowledged that she’s a “nepo baby,” but insisted he’s thrilled by how she handled herself. “She was funny, respectful, and vulnerable. She did me proud.”

The Assembly has given Danny a chance to show a softer side, one that isn’t always visible behind his tough-guy image. Visibly emotional, he praised the interviewers’ thoughtful questions, calling the experience an “honour” and admitting he learned just as much about himself as he did about the panel.

Executive producers Michelle Singer and Stu Richards designed the series to celebrate the talents and warmth of neurodivergent and learning-disabled interviewers, showing their humor, intelligence, and insight. ITV’s entertainment commissioner David Smyth described The Assembly as the perfect blend of “funny, warm, and touching” — true to ITV’s heart and soul.

As for Danny Dyer? Whether he’s charming audiences on game shows, playing rugged heartthrobs, or one day staggering back into the Queen Vic soaked in seawater, he’s proved once again that he’s much more than just Mick Carter. He’s a fighter, a survivor — and still very much a man of the people.