Kellie Bright and Danny Dyer
Danny Dyer says his 'EastEnders' character is like Frank Butcher in his classic days.
The 36-year-old actor joins the BBC One soap on Christmas Day (25.12.13) as the new owner of the Queen Vic pub, Mick Carter - brother of hard-faced Walford resident Shirley Carter - and he believes his alter-ego will have some of the cheeky charm seen in former pub landlord Frank, who was played by the late Mike Reid.
He said: "I've got a bit of Butcher about me and want to try to bring a bit of Frank back.
"I loved everything about [Mike Reid]. He was a real east Londoner, was so funny but had a real presence about him. When he was behind the bar, he believed it. I should say Den Watts but it was always Frank, really."
While Danny may be used to playing tough action men on the big screen, he says his new character is "in touch with his feminine side" and often wears his wife Linda's (played by Kellie Bright) dressing gown.
He added: "He's in touch with his feminine side, he keeps nicking Linda's pink dressing gown -- we have a big row when she wants it back!
"It's showing a side to me no one has seen before, that's why I was interested in the role."
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