Outcasts, Ashes To Ashes and Vera Drake star Daniel, 33, is famous for
playing tough guys, but we reckon he’s a pussycat deep down. So we met him
at his local pub to find out.
Where The Queen’s Pub And Dining Room, Crouch End, London
So, Danny, is pub grub the sort of thing you usually have for lunch?
[Laughs] Nah, not really. But I’ve been told I need to put on a couple of
stone for a part I’ve got coming up. So pie, chips and a pint of Guinness
might help.
Lucky you! We’ll nick a chip or two. And this is your local boozer, right?
Well, I used to come here a lot when I lived round the corner. Tamzin
Outhwaite lives round here, apparently.
How very showbiz! You started out in EastEnders, didn’t you?
That was 11 years ago, when the Slaters first arrived. I was Kat Slater’s ex –
I think I was called Kevin. I chained myself to the fence like some kind of
suffragette to declare my love for her.
You’re an Essex boy rather than a Cockney, right?
Yeah, I grew up in Buckhurst Hill, in Essex. Most people can’t tell the
difference between the accents, though.
Do you watch TOWIE?
I’ve seen about 10 minutes of it, but I just don’t think it paints Essex in a
good light, does it? That said, I remember going for a drink with my
brothers a couple of years ago and we ended up in Loughton. There were all
these glam kids – they’re so well groomed. I had to get out of there, I felt
about 40!
Have you ever been mistaken for Danny Dyer?
[Nearly chokes on his pint] I have. I remember one time I was at a film
premiere, talking to this actress who’d had a few. She was like: “Danny! I
think you’re brilliant.” As she left, she said: “Say hello to Ray Winstone
for me.” I went, “I don’t know Ray, what are you on about?” Then the penny
dropped – ha ha! But I’ve actually worked with Danny. I bumped into him a
couple of years ago at an Oasis concert. It was great to see him – he’s
hilarious.
Does anyone ever try to start a fight with you?
[Chuckles] If anyone ever did, I’d be like: “Not the face! I’m an actor. Punch
me in the arm or the leg, but not the face.” I’ve never had a proper fight.
I’d much rather sit down, talk about it and calmly resolve my issues…
A lover not a fighter, eh? We think you’re a bit of a sex symbol. Do you
get chatted up much?
Oh, seriously, I don’t have a clue! I don’t go out that often these days. If
it does happen, I get out of there sharpish. It makes me a bit
uncomfortable, to be honest. I’m a one-woman man [Danny’s make-up artist
girlfriend Lou is also the mother of his five-year-old son, Mylo].
You star opposite Anna Friel in your new drama, Public Enemies. Do you get
to snog her?
I couldn’t say – you’ll have to wait and see! I snogged her in The Street a
couple of years ago. When you’re mates with someone, it’s just a bit weird.
I’ve ended up in bed with a lot of glamorous women, but only on screen!
Lucky them. We’re well jel, as you Essex types say…
- Daniel Mays stars in Public Enemies, January 3-5, 9pm, BBC1.
The damage
Pints of Guinness drunk 3 (2 by Danny and 1 by Fabulous after Danny
persuaded us it’s “full of healthy iron”)
Chips pinched by Fabulous 5
Number of times we were scared of Danny 0 – he’s actually an incredibly
sweet bloke
