Danny Dyer and Simone Lahbib allowed to break Covid rules for tense NYE EastEnders scenes

Danny Dyer has opened up about forming a bubble with on-screen abuser Simone Lahbib in order to film authentic argument scenes for EastEnders.

Fans of the BBC soap have watched 43-year-old Danny’s character, Mick Carter, spiral in recent weeks after realising he was abused by 55-year-old Simone’s character, Katy Lewis, as a child.

Tension is due to reach a boiling point in scenes set to air around New Year as Mick hits rock bottom as he struggles to deal with his abuse realisation.

In order to make the scenes as authentic as possible, Danny and Simone – along with Danny’s on-screen wife Kellie Bright, 44, who plays Linda Carter – formed a “cohort” bubble so they could film scenes closer than two meters apart.

Speaking to Metro online, Danny expained: “I did that with Simone and also with Kellie separately. I think the big scene where Mick finally confronts Katy, it needed to be filmed that way so we could organically make it work, instead of the technicalities that come with filming socially distanced.

“It was important that we did those big scenes and we were able to really get in each other’s faces. Mick really needs to express himself about what he’s been going through.

“It’s really interesting to see Katy’s reaction she sort of gets off on it – it’s like she likes Mick’s pain which I think was really clever to show just how nasty the character is.”

Earlier this year on EastEnders, Mick came into contact with a new character named Frankie who claimed he was her father – while Katy is her mother.

Mick figured out that he would have been under age when he fathered Frankie – who he didn’t know existed before she arrived in Albert Square.

More recently, Katy has been manipulating Mick to cover her tracks by making him doubt his own memories.

The writers of the BBC soap have worked with charities including the Samaritans and NSPCC to help bring the disturbing storyline to life.

EastEnders’ executive producer Jon Sen told The Sun: “This storyline is such a vital one for EastEnders to portray.

“As viewers have watched Mick struggle to come to terms with the truth of what happened to him as a child, we were determined to show the brutal reality and effects that abuse can cause.

“Working with the Samaritans has been invaluable to ensure that Mick’s story is true to life and they’ve been a huge support, offering guidance throughout the process.

“Danny gives an incredible performance and we hope his portrayal of Mick’s trauma will help dispel the stigma that survivors are often burdened with.”

* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org