Dyer's partying nearly ruined his career

Danny Dyer nearly lost his renowned role in 'The Football Factory' because producers didn't want to cast him as his drinking and drug taking had got out of hand.

He explained: "The director Nick Love invited me for a drink. I thought it was going to just be a catch-up, but instead he sat me down and said. 'You've turned into a complete p***k, you're embarrassing!'

"He then threw the script of 'The Football Factory' down in front of me and said, 'I wanted to offer you this role but I can't because the producers don't want you. Nobody wants to work with you because you've become a liability. You're going to have to audition, just like everyone else. And then he got up and left.

"And right there I thought, 'I can go one of two ways. Concentrate on this role and crack on with acting, or just disappear and become a smackhead.' "

The 32-year-old star hasn't stopped drinking completely but insists he leads a more sensible life now as he is terrified of losing his career.

He added: "I like drinking. But the days of the wild man are gone. I understand that.

"I need to keep myself on my toes, because I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't acting."