EastEnders’ Danny Dyer up against Emmerdale’s Danny Miller for Best Actor in British Soap Awards after losing out last year
Troubled Danny was 'gutted' to lose out on the Best Actor gong last year - but could be vindicated at the ceremony in May
DANNY Dyer was "gutted" last year when he lost out on the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards.
So he'll be delighted to be up for the award again, facing off against last year's winner, Emmerdale's Danny Miller, for the second year in a row.
At last year's glitzy bash, Dyer admitted if he didn't win he would be "gutted, I’ll be absolutely gutted, I ain’t going to lie to ya."
He had been nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of pub landlord Mick Carter, as well as for Best On-Screen Partnership with co-star Kellie Bright, but was devastated to lose out.
Instead Miller, a fan favourite for his portrayal of Aaron Dingle, took Best Actor, while Coronation Street's Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine, who play Sally Webster and Tim Metcalfe, won Best On-Screen Partnership.
Danny had a turbulent start to the year, after taking time out of the show to sort out his personal life.
He stopped filming after talks with show bosses and was expected to be away from filming for a number of weeks – with reports initially suggesting he could be absent until the summer.
Danny’s character Mick Carter hurriedly left Walford after discovering his daughter Nancy has been involved in a car crash.
His surprising departure came as it was revealed he had been involved in a backstage feud with Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell – although Grant Mitchell actor Ross Kemp expressed support for the star.
It followed reports that Danny fell off wagon at the National Television Awards after trying to quit booze in the new year.
An insider said: “It was clear to onlookers he appeared very drunk at the NTAs. It is best that he takes some time out to sort his life out. He appears to be exhausted.
“As a result, Danny is not filming on the show at all. There is an enforced break that is expected to last a number of weeks.
“At the end of the day, he remains the biggest star of the show — so everyone is determined to get him back to his best.”
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Danny jetted off to South Africa to recuperate, and was "fighting fit" when he returned to filming earlier this month.
He's launched back into some explosive story lines straight away as he is set to clash with former Blue star Lee Ryan's character, Woody.
The pair will end up brawling in the street as they take an immediate dislike to each other when Woody is hired to help out at the Queen Vic.
Danny has won several awards for his portrayal of Mick Carter, including the TV Choice Award for Best Soap Actor in 2014 and National Television Award for Outstanding Serial Drama Performance in 2015 and 2016.
But adding a British Soap Award to his accolades would be the icing on the cake for troubled Danny.
However, he is facing stiff competition in the Best Actor category.
Last year's winner Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale, remains a fan favourite, while his co-star John Middleton, who played recently dead dementia sufferer Ashley Thomas, could also be a worthy winner.
While Coronation Street's William Roache, whose character Ken Barlow was recently dramatically attacked by a member of his own family, is also up for the prestigious gong.
Meanwhile, EastEnders' June Brown (Dot Cotton) faces off against Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt) and Emmerdale's Zoe Henry (Rhona Goskirk) for Best Actress.
EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Doctors are all nominated for Best Soap, while Casualty was snubbed.
The awards bash will take place in London in May.
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