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DANNY Dyer has been seen for the first time on set of the new blockbuster festive film Christmas Karma.

The former EastEnders star is set to play a London black cabbie in the new movie, which has been written, directed and produced by Bend It Like Beckham's Gurinder Chadha.

Danny pictured on set for first time filming for the Christmas film
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Danny pictured on set for first time filming for the Christmas filmCredit: Click News and Media
Danny and Kunal Nayyar on set
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Danny and Kunal Nayyar on setCredit: Click News and Media
One snap showed Kunal carrying bags of gifts
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One snap showed Kunal carrying bags of giftsCredit: Click News and Media

The film is a modern Bollywood musical based on Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

The festive flick is set in London and stars The Big Bang Theory's Kunal Nayyar as Scrooge.

It also boasts Eva Longoria, Hugh Bonneville, Billy Porter, Boy George, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Eve among others.

In new pictures, EastEnders legend Danny was seen sporting a red and beige Christmas with a pair of dark blue jeans.

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He finished the look off with a red gilet and a black flat cap.

The star pulled a serious expression as he leaned out of a black cab in one of the scenes.

In other shots, Danny can be seen chatting with Kunal who held onto a DVD copy of the soap actor's most successful film - The Business.

Kunal donned layers upon layers of clothing underneath his dressing gown.

In another snap, he looked sharp in a navy suit while laughing as he held onto several bags of Christmas gifts.

Danny will be reunited in the film with his soap co-star Nitin Ganatra, who played Masood Ahmed in EastEnders from 2007 to 2019.

While plot details are yet to be fully revealed, director Chadha has previously said that her modern-day Scrooge is "an Indian Tory who hates refugees".

Speaking to MPs on the Digital Media and Sport Committee earlier this year about the movie, she added the film was hard to finance due to the lead character being Indian.

Discussing the storyline at the time, Chadha said: "It's very close to Dickens's original themes with the cost of living crisis in Britain."

She also said: "Just as I have enjoyed Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life for many years, my aim with Christmas Karma is to create a festive classic for our times and for generations to come.

Danny plays a cabbie in the movie
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Danny plays a cabbie in the movieCredit: Click News and Media
Danny chatting to the director
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Danny chatting to the directorCredit: Click News and Media

"By adapting one of history's greatest novels – Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol – I am making a British film from my unique, original point of view but one that resonates with Dickens's masterful statement on the human condition."

She continued: "I am blessed with such a great diverse cast and eclectic music team – the soundtrack will be banging, influenced by gospel, bhangra, carols and classic pop songs.

"You will not be able to sit still!"

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Since leaving EastEnders in 2022, telly star Danny has kept himself busy by hosting Channel 4's Scared of the Dark and starring in Channel 5's Heat.

He also recently took part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.

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