Danny Dyer has officially joined the ranks of BAFTA winners. The former EastEnders star clinched his first-ever BAFTA TV Award on Sunday, May 11, winning Best Male Performance in a Comedy for his role in Mr Bigstuff, a Sky Comedy original.
Dyer beat out strong competition from fellow nominees Bilal Hasna, Dylan Thomas-Smith, Nabhaan Rizwan, Oliver Savell, and Phil Dunning to secure the coveted award. His reaction on stage was a mix of joy, disbelief, and deep gratitude.
A Family Celebration in the Audience
One of the evening’s most touching moments came when Dyer turned to the audience to shout out his daughters, Sunnie and Dani Dyer, who were in attendance and visibly emotional.
“Girls! Sunnie, Dani… I done it girls!”
As he held up the iconic BAFTA mask, the cameras captured Sunnie and Dani’s proud and tearful reactions. It was a heartfelt family moment that stole the spotlight during the ceremony, and a reminder of Dyer’s journey from soap star to celebrated comic actor.
Dedicating the Win to Ryan Sampson
Danny Dyer also used his platform to give a heartfelt tribute to Ryan Sampson, his co-star and the creator and writer of Mr Bigstuff. His words brought Sampson to tears as he watched from the audience.
“I’d like to dedicate this to Ryan Sampson. He’s one of the greatest people ever to come out of Rotherham — not saying much. You won this for me, mate.”
He continued with praise that drew laughs and applause:
“One of the best actors this country has ever produced, I’m telling you. He’s never done the same thing twice — which is not something I can say!”
Dyer closed his tribute with sincerity and gratitude:
“You wrote this part for me, mate. You won this for me, mate. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much.”
A Career Reinvention Through Comedy
Known for his gritty roles and hard-man persona in films and as Mick Carter on EastEnders, Dyer’s performance in Mr Bigstuff marked a refreshing pivot into comedy. The Sky Comedy series showcased his timing, range, and vulnerability, drawing praise from critics and audiences alike.
His BAFTA win confirms what fans of the show already knew — that Dyer has evolved into a multi-dimensional actor capable of carrying both drama and comedy with ease.
Watch the Full Ceremony
The 2025 BAFTA TV Awards aired live on BBC One and are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The night featured wins across various genres, but Dyer’s emotional speech and surprise win quickly became a highlight.
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