EastEnders is not so Dyer without Danny as 'TV show ratings are boosted after actor's shock departure'

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He's become of the show's best-loved characters - so naturally, many wondered what EastEnders would even be without Danny Dyer, any more.

Not so dire, it turns out, because according to new reports the BBC One soap has in fact seen a surge in ratings in the week since his exit was aired.

Hardman actor Danny Dyer, who plays Mick Carter, spent time in South Africa last month to take time to 'sort his life out', therefore taking an extended break from the soap.

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All good in the hood: EastEnders is said to have seen boosted ratings since Danny Dyer left the soap last week

According to The Daily Star, 5.5million viewers tuned in last Thursday to see how Mick was to be written out of the series for the actor's temporary break.

After the initial surge, Monday's episode - the first without Danny - peaked at 6.1million, which built again to 6.3million the next day.

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'There is absolutely no truth in this story. 

'Our figures have remained consistent for the past few weeks; the average overnight audience for Tuesday's episode was exactly the same as last Tuesday.' 

He's gone: Danny (here as Mick Carter with his on-screen wife) departed in shocking storylines last week, which were written to accommodate some time off for the actor

Sharp departure: The soap actor has been taking time out to look after himself, but since his on-screen appearances came to an end, ratings are said to have jumped up

During the episode, the Queen Vic landlord received a call that his daughter Nancy had been hit by a car in Bulgaria. 

She had been injured during a holiday with her boyfriend Tamwar; and naturally, Mick was on the next flight to be by her bedside, along with son Johnny. 

Since his departure, for a break which is expected to last a few weeks, representatives for EastEnders have made it clear that there is no exit storyline prepared for Danny and he has most certainly not been sacked from the show.

Nevertheless, Danny's temporary exit storyline was met with a mixed reception from fans, who either seemed to be devastated by the actor's forthcoming absence or found the whole scenario funny, knowing what was going on with Danny in real life.

'We'll miss you!' Danny's exit storyline, shown last Monday, left some EastEnders fans upset... while others found it 'laughable' and 'rushed'

Revealed: On Thursday night's instalment of the BBC soap, viewers finally discovered how Mick Carter was to be written out of the series for the temporary break

'Still laughing at the rushed tacked on for Danny Dyer. You can see it wasn't even rehearsed!' one person remarked on Twitter.

'They had to think of a quick exit!' someone else chimed in.

'What was that random scene on EastEnders tonight with Danny Dyer! I know he is having a break but really how random!' came a third Twitter user.

A fourth person typed: 'So thats the s**t storyline that lets Mick f**k off for a couple of months?'

'That's Danny Dyer's "go and get yourself cleaned up" few weeks away, isn't it?' someone else posted, followed by another who wrote 'well, Danny Dyer's exit didn't feel at all rushed,' sarcastically. 

Others were more sympathetic to the real-life issues the actor is facing.

'Going to miss you Danny, but you deserve this break,' one person tweeted.

Emergency: During the episode, the Queen Vic landlord received a call that his daughter Nancy had been hit by a car in Bulgaria, where she was on holiday with her boyfriend Tamwar

Drama: Naturally, Mick was on the next flight to be by her bedside, along with son Johnny

This was echoed by another, who seemed excessively invested in the departure of the star: ' U AMAZING! So phenomenal!! Gonna miss u so much as Mick but can't wait till u return again! Hope u had a great break! Love u [sic].' 

EastEnders has certainly been surrounded with attention amidst the controversy involving Danny. 

After reports that Danny was taking time out, a video leaked in which 'flustered' actor Danny being comforted by his co-stars at the National Television Awards last month.

The clip shows him gesticulating while talking to and being soothed by EastEnders colleagues including James Bye [Martin Fowler], Danny's wife Joanne Mas and Laurie Brett, [Jane Beale].

EastEnders came forward after the leak to deny that the 39-year-old is 'spiralling out of control, exhausted and needs to control his temper.' 

'Just go, go now!': The claims a follow a video released by the paper earlier on Monday that saw the actor 'tired and flustered' at the National Television Awards last month

All good in the hood? The footage comes as EastEnders have denied that the 39-year-old is 'spiralling out of control, is exhausted and needs to control his temper'

In his defense, a friend of Danny's told MailOnline: 'He wasn't behaving badly at all. He was presenting an award so he was tired as he had been at the venue since 6pm.

'He was struggling to find the exit to get out as he was worried he was going to be mobbed by fans as there were queues everywhere and he just wanted to get to his car. 

'The rest of the group were saying, 'Just go, go now,' before it gets any busier. He wanted to get out and nothing more. 

A friend of Danny's told MailOnline: 'He wasn't behaving badly - he just wanted to leave but couldn't find the exit (pictured with Lacey Turner)

'Danny is one of the nicest people you can work with. He's always so lovely and a rye professional.'

The Sun had previously reported that Danny stated backstage at the NTAs last month, while clutching a bottle of beer, that he had failed in attempting to give up drink after just one month.

But the BBC have explained that Danny went straight home after the NTAs, not even attending an after party.   

Denial: EastEnders have insisted that Danny Dyer has 'never lost his temper at work' and is 'respected by everyone' on set, in light of claims he had been 'plain rude' to the crew 

EastEnders have insisted he has 'never lost his temper at work' and is 'respected by everyone' on set, in light of claims he had been 'plain rude' to the crew.

An inside source told The Sun on Sunday that the actor had acted like 'lord of the manor' on set and talked down to crew members in the run up to his sudden hiatus from the soap, announced earlier this week.

However, a representative for the BBC has since refuted the claims to MailOnline, stating: 'There is absolutely no truth in any of these allegations. Danny is always a consummate professional.' 

A source had claimed to the paper that the actor, who plays Mick Carter on the beloved soap, had 'ranted, raved and bragged' to his fellow employees, and spoken down to members of the crew. 

Yet, the EastEnders rep continued in firm denial of the reports: 'Danny has never walked off set, nor has he ever lost his temper or been rude to anyone at work.'

'Danny is an extremely popular member of cast and respected by everyone on the show.'   

Not himself: A rep for EastEnders firmly denied the reports, stating: 'Danny has never walked off set, nor has he ever lost his temper or been rude to anyone at work'

The insider revealed: 'He could be nice one minute and the next he'd be ranting and raving, babbling about how s*** things are, and storming off.'

'When he wasn't complaining, he would walk around the set like Lord of the Manor, bragging about how EastEnders would collapse if he left.' 

With the revelations following claims that friends were concerned his behaviour was 'spiralling out of control', the source went on to detail the arrogant heights the star had reached - amid his reported battle to give up booze.

'He was just plain rude,' the source added. 'You would hear him talking to them as if they were nothing, saying things like: 'I'm God here, you just do the lighting.'

Cause for concern? The insider had previously spoken of Danny's 'swaggering' behaviour on set, which reportedly saw him 'rant and rave' at colleagues, and brag of the soap's need for his presence

Off the wagon? His departure comes amid supposed concern his penchant for booze is taking its toll - having reportedly been spotted drinking at the National Television Awards, despite quitting at the start of the year

On the show: Sources tell The Sun that the actor, who stars in the BBC1 soap as Mick Carter, sparked concern among producers when he fell off the wagon at last month's NTAs following a failed bid to quit drinking

Danny's decision to embark on Walford somewhat reinstated his status as one of the country's best loved stars.

But in recent months, he's reportedly been noticed to behave erratically. 

The actor, who stars in the BBC1 soap as Mick Carter, is taking a 'number of weeks' off work, in hopes he will recuperate after appearing 'exhausted' - with bosses determined to get him 'back to his best' - despite the move causing 'chaos as he is the star of the show'.

A BBC spokesperson originally told MailOnline on Friday: 'Danny is on a short break from EastEnders. This was not enforced by bosses nor has he quit the show.' 

But sources had suggested that 'Danny has been the main conversation on set all week' and that 'no one knows exactly what is going on but it's highly unusual for a core cast member to leave for weeks on end with no notice whatsoever'.

Danny, who previously admitted to drinking on set, first appeared as Mick - the landlord of the iconic Queen Vic pub in Walford - in December 2013, after which he became a show favourite.

Insiders report that the notorious hardman, who soared to fame in films including The Football Factory and The Business, has been forced to withdraw from filming. saying: 'The producers are concerned about him for a number of reasons. It is best that he takes some time out to sort his life out.'

Joker: The actor who plays pub landlord of The Queen Vic (pictured in the soap) has joked that producers have tried to run 'non-alcoholic beer' through their taps to stop him drinking on set

Central star: Show sources also claim that the withdrawal will be 'a nightmare' for scriptwriters and producers due to the fact Mick (pictured in the soap) is such a central character and storylines are plotted out months in advance

Having fun: Danny (here at the awards with singer Pixie Lott) was reportedly trying to go sober this year

Not working too well: TV personality Danny (here on the This Morning sofa in March 2016) reportedly gave up his New Year's Resolutions after one month

However, another source played down the claims, telling MailOnline: 'It's not unusual for actors to take breaks from the show'.

Insiders also claim that the withdrawal will be 'a nightmare' for scriptwriters and producers due to the fact Mick is such a central character and storylines are plotted out months in advance.

With regard to the Mary Berry incident, Danny publicly apologised, saying: 'I [have] to behave myself. I wouldn't advise anyone to accept an award off your head.'

The east London born actor added: 'I really admire her and want to give her a cuddle. I love everything about her.' 

Afterwards, Mary joked: 'He was just a drunk chap. I feel sorry for him. Actually I'm sure he didn't mean it. I took no notice of him. He was like a naughty boy. It doesn't matter.'

Moving on? The 39-year-old (here in March 2014) show favourite is said to be taking a 'number of weeks' off work, in the hope he will recuperate after appearing 'exhausted' - with bosses determined to get him 'back to his best' - despite the move causing 'chaos as he is the star of the show'

Back in 2015, Danny touched on his relationship with alcohol and EastEnders producers as he wrote in his autobiography, The World According To Danny Dyer.

He said: 'I sometimes have a half at the end of the day in The Queen Vic, though they started putting TCP in the pumps to stop me drinking it!' 

A year before, in an interview with Jonathan Ross he spoke once again about the Queen Vic, as he said: 'There are a couple of good pumps. They tried to put non-alcoholic beer in there but it don't come out properly... 

'On a good day I slip over to the good pumps and have half a lager ... not taking the p**s, as I don't want to get in trouble. You have to keep yourself busy behind the bar.'

Honest and open: A year before, in an interview with Jonathan Ross, Danny (pictured here in 2010) spoke once again about the Queen Vic, as he said: 'There are a couple of good pumps. They tried to put non-alcoholic beer in there but it don't come out properly...'

Giving up drinking wasn't the only thing Danny tried to give up in 2017, however the potty-mouthed TV personality was able to stop swearing from less than four days into the new year.

Speaking on January 4, 2017, Danny made the surprising admission that he'd purchase a swear jar in a bid to curb his use of foul language.

But the 39-year-old EastEnders star quickly failed in his mission, and candidly revealed that he thought the whole thing was 'b*****ks.' 

Elsewhere, Danny has previously admitted that he has always 'taken drugs and probably always will.'

He wrote in his book Danny Dyer: Straight Up: 'There's a difference between having the odd crafty bump up the snout as a reward for a job well done and letting it rule your life.'

He added: 'You can't brush it under the carpet and try and pretend it doesn't happen, because it does happen. It happens all over the world every night, millions and millions of people.

'And it can have a terrible effect on people, and other people can deal with it and get on with their lives and never lose a job and bring up their children, and be fine with it. I think everything in moderation.'

Loved-up: 'On a good day I slip over to the good pumps and have half a lager ... not taking the piss, as I don't want to get in trouble. You have to keep yourself busy behind the bar' (pictured with his wife Joanna Mas, in March 2016)