EastEnders’ Danny Dyer reveals he and Simon Lahbib were allowed to BREAK social distancing

EastEnders’ Danny Dyer has revealed that he and co-star Simone Lahbib were allowed to break social distancing rules during a tense confrontation scene.

The actor, 43, said they formed a ‘cohort’ which meant they were not required to stay two metres apart to ensure they could accurately portray the emotional impact of the scenes.

It comes as Danny’s character Mick Carter reaches rock bottom in moving scenes that will air on New Year’s Eve, and contemplates taking his own life after learning he’d been abused as a child.  

Storyline: EastEnders’ Danny Dyer filmed his upcoming New Year’s Eve scenes in close contact with his co-stars Kellie Bright and Simone Lahbib

Mick’s abuser Katy Lewis (Simone) has been manipulating him and influencing his thoughts, adding to his distress, and his ordeal will finally come to a head later this week.

Since filming resumed earlier this year, EastEnders co-stars have been required to stay at least two metres apart during scenes, with clever editing used to hide the distance.

However Danny revealed that these upcoming scenes were filmed in close contact with Simone and Kellie, who plays Mick’s wife Linda, explaining it needed to be filmed that way to ‘make it work’. 

Heartbreaking: The BBC soap will feature a heart-wrenching storyline on December 31 involving Danny's character Mick Carter contemplating suicide

Heartbreaking: The BBC soap will feature a heart-wrenching storyline on December 31 involving Danny’s character Mick Carter contemplating suicide

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, he said: ‘I did that with Simone and also with Kellie separately. I think the big scene where Mick finally confronts Katy, it needed to be filmed that way so we could organically make it work, instead of the technicalities that come with filming socially distanced.

‘It was important that we did those big scenes and we were able to really get in each other’s faces. Mick really needs to express himself about what he’s been going through. 

‘It’s really interesting to see Katy’s reaction she sort of gets off on it – it’s like she likes Mick’s pain which I think was really clever to show just how nasty the character is.’

Danny added it has been ‘difficult’ filming the storyline while social distancing and added that he hopes he has done it justice.

Mick said: 'I think the big scene where Mick finally confronts Katy, it needed to be filmed that way so we could organically make it work, instead of the technicalities that come with filming socially distanced'

Mick said: ‘I think the big scene where Mick finally confronts Katy, it needed to be filmed that way so we could organically make it work, instead of the technicalities that come with filming socially distanced’

The actor believes it’s an important storyline to highlight and he hopes that men, or anyone struggling with their mental health, will be positively impacted by it. 

The Samaritans, along with the NSPCC and Survivors UK, have been involved with the plot line, with a source telling The Sun: ‘It’s something that the writers have worked on for a long time and very sensitively.

‘Mick feels he has no other option and contemplates suicide. It will be a tough but important watch.’ 

Soap viewers have watched as Mick continues to be manipulated by Katy, who has been twisting his memories and convincing him he has made up his childhood traumas.

The show’s executive producer Jon Sen said: ‘This storyline is such a vital one for EastEnders to portray.

‘As viewers have watched Mick struggle to come to terms with the truth of what happened to him as a child, we were determined to show the brutal reality and effects that abuse can cause.

He added: 'It was important that we did those big scenes and we were able to really get in each other’s faces. Mick really needs to express himself about what he's been going through'

He added: ‘It was important that we did those big scenes and we were able to really get in each other’s faces. Mick really needs to express himself about what he’s been going through’

‘Working with the Samaritans has been invaluable to ensure that Mick’s story is true to life and they’ve been a huge support, offering guidance throughout the process.

‘Danny gives an incredible performance and we hope his portrayal of Mick’s trauma will help dispel the stigma that survivors are often burdened with.’

Samaritans rep Lorna Fraser said: ‘Suicide is not inevitable and just having someone there to listen, without judgment, can help save a life.

‘We have been pleased to work with EastEnders giving expert advice on Mick Carter’s story as it’s a chance to explore some of the issues surrounding suicide in a sensitive and considered way.’

If you have been affected by this story, contact The Samaritans on 116 123 or at www.samaritans.org.

Plot: Soap viewers have watched as Mick continues to be manipulated by Katy, who has been twisting his memories and convincing him he has made up his childhood traumas

Plot: Soap viewers have watched as Mick continues to be manipulated by Katy, who has been twisting his memories and convincing him he has made up his childhood traumas