EastEnders’ Danny Dyer denies he’ll ‘swerve’ the British Soap Awards following turbulent past few months

DANNY Dyer has denied claims he declined an invitation to this year’s British Soap Awards.

The actor has been nominated for gongs at the swanky ceremony, which is being held at Manchester's Lowry Theatre in June, six times in the past three years.

This time around he’s up against Emmerdale’s Danny Miller in the Best Actor category.

A source told  the actor would be missing the event, adding: “After everything that's happened over the last few months he's keeping his head down.”

However an EastEnders spokesperson told The Sun Online: “Danny has not ruled out any social events and certainly no decision has been made about the British Soap Awards in June.”

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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