Danny Dyer has opened up about an eating disorder that leaves him binging on junk food before bedtime.
The EastEnders and Rivals actor, 48, revealed he often “eats at stupid hours” as it “comforts” him, suggesting his relationship with food has replaced his previous struggles with alcohol and drugs.
“It never leaves you,” he said on his podcast Live and Let Dyers.
“I’ve got an eating disorder – just eating at stupid hours because it comforts me,” he said, revealing that he brings the food to bed with him despite not feeling hungry.
“Last night, I took up some hot dogs – out of a jar – sort of like a frankfurter. I took three and put them on a plate.
“What you’ve got to start doing with this eating thing is just have a little bit less. Anyway, I took the fourth one out. So I’ve had four f***ing frankfurters. Again, I’m obsessed with tomato sauce at the moment – dipped them in it.”
The Bafta TV Award winner continued to list the various unhealthy foods that he would eat late at night, adding that there are parallels to his past addiction struggles with his eating disorder. “It never leaves you,” he said.
“I did go to rehab and I’ve spoken about this and I’ve been open about it,” he said. “You can’t drink again – I managed to be able to do that. My life is like I’m manageable when I drink and stuff and obviously I don’t take drugs any more.
“Eating and drinking and drugs – you know, there’s so many different kinds of addictive patterns that need to be addressed. I could stop. I’m not hungry, I suppose.
“Some people want to take a glass of water to bed, as you should – I just happened to take two different styles of creme eggs.”
Dyer previously said he checked into rehab after struggling to put on a pair of jeans, calling it a “moment of clarity”. He also said, during an appearance on ITV series The Assembly that his wife, Joanne Mas, has total control of their finances.
“Sometimes I would go out and get off my head, take drugs, and I wouldn’t come home for three days,” he said of his past behaviour. “I had issues. I never wanted the party to end. She had every right to throw me out.”
Dyer can currently be seen on series The Dyers’ Caravan Park alongside his daughter Dani. He’ll also be seen in the second season of Disney+’s Jilly Cooper adaptation Rivals.
For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this article, eating disorder charity Beat’s helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit eating-disorders.org.uk or call 0845 838 2040.
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