Danny Dyer has revealed he knows some people view him as 'thick and poor' but he's never let classist jibes bother him.
The EastEnders actor, 45, says as soon he opens his mouth he's 'judged as thick and poor' and recalls spotting the negative opinions related to his working class upbringing early on his career.
Dad-of-three Danny grew up on a council estate in Custom House, one of the most deprived areas of east London, and went on to star in Oscar-winning short Wasp, work with Harold Pinter and become one of the nation's favourite soap stars.
But despite being an accomplished actor and now leading a privileged life, Danny is still subjected to classim - particularly surrounding the names he picked out for the three children he shares with childhood sweetheart Joanne Mas.
When the happy couple welcomed their first child into the world in 1996, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, many scoffed at Danny's choice of moniker for his daughter.
But, as a journalist points out in the star's latest interview, Nigel Lawson has never been mocked and treated as a joke for calling his daughter Nigella.
"I think there is classism," Danny admits to The Times when asked if he thinks he's a victim of class hatred.
"As soon as I open my mouth I’m judged as thick and poor and not articulate. I noticed that early doors, but it hasn’t really bothered me."
Danny is no longer poor these days, thanks to lucrative movie roles and a long stint on BBC soap EastEnders, but the actor is still a voice for working class people - often taking aim at right-wing political figures.
The Mick Carter actor famously won the hearts of the nation back in 2018, when he savagely criticised David Cameron for fleeing the country after Brexit during an appearance on an ITV News special.
"I hate him [Cameron] more than Farage and that’s saying something," Danny admits five years on from the iconic TV moment.
"When we needed a leader he goes, 'Right, see you later. Mind how you go'."
Looking back on his childhood, Danny has only happy memories of his upbringing and fondly recalls having a lot of love in his life as he enjoyed caravan holidays with the "strong women" who raised him.
Danny goes on to muse how his three children had a very different start in life compared to his own - revealing he sent all his offspring to fee-paying private school.
Danny and wife share three children together; Dani, Sunnie and Arty.
"I’ve got very privileged kids now. They have no concept," he explains.
"I took them round my old stomping ground recently and my son [Arty, 9] freaked out at where I used to live. They were petrified."
Elsewhere in the candid interview, Danny shares how he checked into psychiatric unit six years ago, after making 'serious errors' in life, and reveals how his wife Joanne reacted to his past cheating scandals.
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