Daily Mirror

Christmas message from the Queen (Vic

Enders star Danny rips into ‘shambles down Westminste­r’

- BY NICOLA METHVEN TV Editor nicola.methven@mirror.co.uk @mirrormeth­s

Danny has harsh words for politician­s ON POLITICS IN WESTMINSTE­R ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ON FATHER FIGURE HAROLD PINTER SOAP star Danny Dyer says Westminste­r is worse than EastEnders for backstabbi­ng as he gives Channel 4’s alternativ­e Christmas message.

He also rips into US President Donald Trump and talks about how playwright Harold Pinter became his father figure.

Danny, 41, who branded David Cameron a “tw*t” on live TV this year, continues his tirade about politician­s by saying in his message: “That shambles down in Westminste­r, what a palaver.

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

Danny, who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter in the BBC soap, lays into Mr Trump by adding: “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 don’t like him. Leave off.”

On his thoughts 100 years after the First World War ended and the Suffragett­es managed to get women the right to vote, dad-ofthree Danny says: “That’s what I think we need more of, heroes…

“If we need anything for 2019 it’s for each of us to find who we look up to. Could be your mum, could be your dad, your stepdad, INFLUENCE Harold Pinter

your nan, teacher, social worker, maybe even a handsome, roguish actor off your favourite soap.”

He said he needed a male role model after being brought up by his mum and nan, adding: “My dad… he weren’t around when I was a kid. And I love him and that – I don’t blame him. But I was angry, and I got into trouble.

“I had the Old Bill round my gaff every five minutes. I was a wrong ’un. No one knew how to help me.

“Then I found a father figure I didn’t even know I needed.

“I went for an audition for a play and I met this old geezer who wrote it. He was an East Ender, he was a West Ham fan just like me.

“He thought I was all right and he gave me the part. Turns out it was a fella called Harold Pinter.

“He became the most influentia­l man in my life… He taught me that where I came from didn’t dictate where I went to.”

Pinter, who won a Nobel Prize, died in 2008 aged 78.

Previous presenters of the network’s festive message include Doreen and Neville Lawrence, and children who survived the Grenfell Tower fire disaster.

■ The Alternativ­e Christmas Message is on Channel 4 on Christmas Day at 3.50pm.

What a palaver. Where are our leaders? There’s more backstabbi­ng than we have in Albert Square

What a melt. He don’t fancy a little trip to Britain because some people here don’t like him. Leave off

This old geezer gave me a part in a play. Turns out it was Pinter. He became the most influentia­l man in my life

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