Danny Dyer, Virgin TV BAFTA Television Awards
News

Danny Dyer to host Alternative Christmas Message this year

He's up against the Queen!

Actor Danny Dyer will be presenting Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message this year – and he’ll be on at the same time as the Queen!

The EastEnders star will use his speech – which will be broadcast on Christmas Day at 3pm, going up against Queen Elizabeth’s annual message – to compare the “backstabbing” in the government to the goings-on on the BBC One soap.

The straight-talking actor wants his say (Credit: Splash)

In a teaser clip posted on Channel 4’s YouTube channel, he says: “This year has been pretty full-on to be honest. Like that shambles down in Westminster, what a palaver that is.

“I mean, where are our leaders? Where are they? There’s been more backstabbing than we have in Albert Square.”

He will also take aim at US President Donald Trump, describing him as an “absolute melt” after the politician cancelled a visit to a cemetery in France in November “due to the weather”.

Danny adds: “It ain’t any better for the Yanks though, is it? What an absolute melt they’ve got there.
“He don’t want to turn up to memorials because it’s raining. He don’t fancy a little trip to Britain because there’s people here that just don’t like him. Leave off.”

Read more: Kelvin Fletcher reveals real reason he doesn’t watch Emmerdale

The Football Factory star, 41, will also open up on his tough life as he was growing up and will reveal that he often had the police at his door.

He will pay tribute to one of his heroes, late playwright Harold Pinter – who died in 2008 aged 78 – describing him as a “father figure I didn’t even know I needed”.

He explains: “My dad … he weren’t around when I was a kid. And er, you know, I love him and that, I don’t blame him. I was brought up by my mum and my nan, and they were brilliant women, and they worked their socks off for me, but I was angry, and I got into trouble, you know. I had the Old Bill round my gaff every five minutes. I was a wrong un.”

Danny plays Mick Carter on The Square (Credit: BBC)

Channel 4 have broadcast their Alternative Christmas Message every year since 1993.

Famous faces such as Sharon Osbourne, Katie Piper, Jamie Oliver and a team of midwives from documentary series One Born Every Minute have delivered messages over the years.

Katie Piper, Pride of Britain 2018, Grosvenor House Hotel, London UK, 29 October 2018, Photo by Brett D. Cove
Strictly star Katie Piper has issued a speech for the channel before (Credit: Splash)

Read more: Brendan Cole hits back after being slammed over Stacey Dooley criticism

Last year, five young survivors from the tragic Grenfell Tower disaster – which occurred when a London tower block burst into flames in June 2017, resulting in 72 deaths – read out an emotional speech.

Considering the corkers Danny usually comes out with, this year’s speech should be pretty memorable!

Will you be tuning in to Danny’s speech? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Aaliyah Ashfield
Digital Marketing Apprentice