FormerEastEnders star Danny Dyer has revealed that he didn’t enjoy taking part in the BBC soap’s famous ‘doof doof’ moments.
The infamous nine drum beats have concluded almost every episode of the show since its inception in February 1985.
A supposed ‘accident’ by musician Simon May during composition of the show’s iconic theme tune, EastEnders creators Julia Smith and Tony Holland were impressed and asked to retain them for the end credits.
They were introduced to the opening titles in 1994.
In an episode, the final scene usually features the characters making a shocking move or statement, with them freezing the action temporarily whilst the ‘doof doof’ plays out.
During his nine year stint in the Square, Danny’s character Mick Carter racked up a whopping 140 of these moments – and had more than any character in 2018.
Phil Mitchell is at the top of the list, with 424 since 1990.
However, in an interview with comedians James Acaster and Ed Gamble on their Off Menu podcast, Danny has revealed he found them ‘horrible’ and ‘awkward’.
Yikes.
‘It was a myth, I think, [that] as an actor, you get to the script, and you flick to the back because you want the ‘doof doof’,’ he explained.
‘You don’t want it, because it’s horrible. It’s awkward.’
Explaining the process, he added: ‘You have to hold a gaze for about eight seconds and it’s the same gaze.
‘You know, you’re slightly constipated or… because what it is, the cliffhangers… so it’s the faces, “What the f*ck is going to happen?”
‘You’ve got to hold it, got to hold it, and then the duff duffs kick in. So, I would always dread them. I got a few in my time.’
Danny also detailed a moment when he was required to laugh during the drumroll.
‘You have to carry the laugh on’ he said.
‘They never did it again – it didn’t work.’
The actor, 47, had an epic exit story that saw Mick go missing at sea, presumed dead during Christmas 2022.
Earlier this week, he told the KISS Breakfast Radio Show that he would love to return as part of the upcoming 40th celebrations.
‘I would be up for going back for the 40th anniversary, but nobody’s contacted me’ he said.
‘I’ve chucked it out there. I think I need to go back and save my wife Linda, who’s now become a murderess.
‘It does worry me a bit.’
Danny has stayed consistently busy since his departure, and is currently starring in Jilly Cooper adaption Rivals for Disney+.
He also had a leading role in Mr Bigstuff for Sky, which has been commissioned for a second series.
