Danny Dyer, 47, planning to retire very soon after ‘riding Rivals wave’
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Danny Dyer has been a firm fixture of British TV for almost two decades but the EastEnders legend has an eye on retiring sooner than you’d think. The 47-year-old icon has had a huge year, winning everyone’s hearts as Freddie Jones in Rivals, adapted from Dame Jilly Cooper’s raunchy 80s novel.
![[Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson as Freddie and Lizzie in Rivals]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234208147-974b.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
However, as Danny’s star shines brighter than ever, he confirms to Metro plans to retire – ‘or semi-retire’ – at 55, just eight years away. He revealed: ‘That’s always my plan. To have enough money and just feel that I’ve achieved quite a lot, and then just pick and choose if I want to do stuff now and again.’.
Five years ago, he first floated the idea of retirement but since then, Danny has only ramped up his workload with numerous projects out soon. ‘I would like to think that now I’m in a position where I can actually choose and not do the obvious roles – and I have done some obvious things but I needed to pay bills,’ he continues.
![[Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson as Freddie and Lizzie in Rivals]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234208134-5ed2.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=615)
‘I’m really excited about the projects I’ve got coming up this year. Got some really cool stuff coming my way. Hopefully, I can shine in them.’. ‘You never know,’ Danny adds. ‘You’re only ever one job away from people saying you’re s**t again.
![[Danny Dyer as Mick Carter, standing in the Queen Vic pub in EastEnders]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_232694392-8f8e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘I’ve done some great stuff. I’ve also done some s**te, like every actor.’. After a decade starring as Mick Carter on one of the UK’s biggest soaps, Danny is no stranger to criticism of his acting. The influx of praise for his stint in Rivals hasn’t gone unnoticed, calling this ‘revelation’ that he can act ‘slightly insulting’.
![[*** FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE *** Former landlord of the Queen Vic, Danny Dyer is working with the Walkers Better For You snack range to launch the ???Pack Our Pubs??? initiative, encouraging people to support their local pubs if taking part in the Dry January?? Challenge by Alcohol Change UK. For every non-alcoholic drink purchased, punters will receive a free pint of 0% crisps. T&Cs apply.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236180765-9ba3.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
