It’s been nearly three years since Danny Dyer waved goodbye to EastEnders, but the actor isn’t ruling out another trip to Albert Square. While promoting his new film Marching Powder, the 47-year-old reflected on his time as Mick Carter — and admitted he’d gladly return to the BBC soap if the opportunity arose.

“I Would Have Gone Back If They’d Asked Me”

Appearing on The Late Late Show, Dyer revealed that he never received the call to return for EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, even though he would have been willing.

“I do get a lot of people asking if I’d go back,” he said. “And I’ll be honest, I would have gone back if they’d have asked me, but they didn’t ask me. I think they’ve got the hump with me now — I don’t know why!”

In a previous interview with Metro, Dyer hinted that the timing might have passed, saying, “I think because I’m not coming back for the 40th, I missed the boat. It needs to be something special for Mick to come back.”

The Christmas Exit That Shocked Fans

Dyer left EastEnders in 2022, with his final scenes airing on Christmas Day. After reconciling with his soulmate Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Mick chased down schemer Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) in a dramatic car sequence. All three ended up plunging into the sea.

Mick managed to rescue Janine but, believing Linda was still trapped underwater, dived back in after her — and was never seen again. The heartbreaking episode left viewers uncertain whether Mick was truly dead, sparking years of speculation about a potential survival twist.

“They Put Me with Janine — I Had to Get Out”

Dyer has since joked about his decision to leave, admitting that pairing his character with the infamously dangerous Janine sealed his fate.

“I just felt like I wanted to try and do some other stuff,” he told host Rob Beckett on Smart TV. “They put me with Janine, and when you end up with Janine, you’ve got to get out. You know she’s going to murder you eventually — so I had to leave!”

Still, Dyer isn’t closing the door completely:

“Who knows? Maybe I will go back. If the appetite’s still there for it, then maybe bring Mick back.”

Life After Walford

Since leaving EastEnders, Dyer has kept busy across film and television. He starred in the Sky Max comedy Mr Bigstuff, the hit series Rivals, and now leads the gritty crime drama Marching Powder, which premiered last week.

The actor has also been candid about the realities of leaving a steady soap paycheck behind.

“It’s a hard job to leave,” he admitted. “You never quite know when the next job is coming. You could have a really good run and then it stops for seven months. It’s scary.”

Despite that uncertainty, Dyer says stepping away gave him creative freedom and a chance to explore new projects — while still keeping one foot in Walford’s door.

Watching from Afar

Dyer revealed he tuned in to EastEnders’ 40th anniversary live episode, praising the cast for pulling off the high-stakes broadcast.

“It reminded me of when we did the lives last time — Who Killed Lucy Beale? — and the fear when you go live. I could see their a**** flapping,” he joked. “But I’ve got to say, they pulled it out of the bag.”

For now, Mick Carter remains lost at sea — but for EastEnders fans, Danny Dyer’s teasing optimism keeps hope afloat that one day, the Queen Vic’s beloved landlord might just wash back ashore.