**Danny Dyer Opens Up on Hitting Rock Bottom After Drug Abuse: “I Couldn’t Put My Trousers On”**
British actor Danny Dyer has shared a deeply personal story about the turning point in his battle with substance abuse — a moment that led him to reconsider his choices for the sake of his family and himself. Speaking candidly on *The Louis Theroux Podcast*, the former *EastEnders* star recounted one particularly sobering morning after a night of heavy celebration.
Dyer, known for his forthrightness and candour, revealed that the incident occurred after attending the National Television Awards (NTAs). “I just sat on the toilet, genuinely unable to remember how my own jeans went on – which leg first,” Dyer explained. The confusion and helplessness, he says, were unlike anything he had previously experienced. Although he admitted he had had several similar episodes over the years, this particular moment “resonated” at a deeper level.
What made the situation even more impactful, Dyer said, was seeing the toll his lifestyle was taking on his wife, Joanne Mas. “I looked up and saw my wife watching me. She looked shattered, physically ill, and just completely worn out by what I was putting us through,” he shared. The distress on her face brought home the wider consequences of his substance use, affecting not just himself but his entire family.
Reflecting further, Dyer acknowledged the damage that was spreading through his personal life as a result of his actions. “It hit me hard – the realisation that I could end up killing myself. I was miserable, wasting all my money on drugs, and tearing everything good in my life apart,” he admitted. His openness about these struggles is perhaps one reason why Dyer remains such a relatable figure for many fans.
The actor, who has previously spoken in interviews about his struggles with drug abuse, reiterated in the podcast that his family’s wellbeing was central to him making a change. “It wasn’t just my life I was destroying, but my wife’s and children’s too,” he reflected, underlining the far-reaching impact addiction can have on loved ones.
In lighter moments during the interview, Dyer also delved into his experiences attempting to break into Hollywood. He spoke of the peculiar demand he faced to adopt an American accent continuously, which apparently left some convinced he was from Australia instead. “They wanted me to live in America for six months and speak only in an American accent, but I hated putting on that voice all the time. My children were still very young then, and the idea just didn’t sit right with me,” he told Theroux.
Currently, Dyer is enjoying a new chapter in his acting career, having recently completed work on the second series of ITV’s *Rivals*. He also discussed an ambitious solo project — an upcoming film titled *Three Quick Breaths*, in which he takes on the sole role. Dyer likened the challenge to playing Hamlet for a new generation, noting: “It felt like a proper test. We shot it in ten days in Dublin, and I had to learn upwards of fifteen pages of script each day. Watching the completed film, I am hugely proud – maybe it’s my Hamlet.”
Danny Dyer’s honesty about his struggles with addiction and the reality of life in the entertainment world is striking a chord with listeners. His story is a timely reminder of the personal battles often hidden behind fame and the importance of support as one navigates their way towards recovery.
Listeners can hear the full conversation on *The Louis Theroux Podcast*, which is widely available on Spotify and other podcast platforms.