The EastEnders tough guy was visibly emotional during his tribute to the late singer

 

IT takes a lot to make a soap hardman like DANNY DYER shed a tear.

Not even introducing a swear box on the set EastEnders would trigger the same level of emotion that Danny displayed while impersonating late pal AMY WINEHOUSE on Channel 5 show Lip Sync Battle.

Danny Dyer
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Danny Dyer struggled to hold back tears as he impersonated his late friend Amy WinhouseCredit: Splash News
I can reveal Danny struggled to keep his composure while miming to the singer’s classic Back To Black in scenes which will be shown next month.

Dressed up in Amy’s trademark look including a beehive wig, he nearly broke down towards the end of the song as it brought back so many memories of his friendship with the singer.

A source said: “Danny was proper welling up.

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Amy Winehouse
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The singer passed away in 2011 of accidental alcohol poisoningCredit: Getty Images – FilmMagic
“He may have been dressed comically but he really put his heart and soul into the performance.

“Danny used to knock about with Amy before she died and they were close pals.

“It was important for him to pay a fitting tribute.”

His emotionally fuelled performance even managed to impress Strictly judge CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD who he was competing against.

Craig Revell Horwood
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Even Danny’s competitor Craig Revell Horwood was impressed by the performanceCredit: Getty Images – WireImage

The show, which will begin alongside Celebrity Big Brother in January, will certainly blow away any New Year blues.

As well as Danny taking on Craig, the new series will also see stars including comic ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG, ex-Towie star JOEY ESSEX, dancer LOUIE SPENCE, and adventurer BEN FOGLE competing.

Joey Essex
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Joey Essex will appear on the series, as well as Alexander Armstrong and Peter AndreCredit: Getty Images – WireImage
The show, hosted by MEL B and PROFESSOR GREEN, has also signed up exes PETER ANDRE and KATIE PRICE but unfortunately for us they’ll be on separate episodes.

Shame. That would have made for a good battle.

 

 

Birds’ camels had the hump

FILMING television shows abroad is supposed to be glamorous.

But the Birds Of A Feather gang had to ditch their sunny shoot in Malta – thanks to a load of rogue camels.

Instead, some of the action for the ITV Christmas special had to switch to a more down-to-earth location in Bedfordshire.

Birds of a feather
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The Birds of a Feather cast had to abandon their sunny shoot in Malta because their camels weren’t being co-operativeCredit: PA:Press Association
LESLEY JOSEPH said: “We had scenes with a camel which we couldn’t film in Malta because they didn’t have any friendly camels. So we had to go to a quarry in Leighton Buzzard, as you do.

“We met a camel called Abdul. This camel didn’t spit, it was divine.”

The shoot was relocated to the slightly less glamorous
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The shoot was relocated to a slightly less glamorous quarry in Leighton BuzzardCredit: ITV
But they insist the festive episode is no Ab Fab-style bikini holiday.

Lesley added: “It’s an hour-long action film.

“Absolutely Fabulous had just done the South of France, so there was no way we were going to go there.

“I think it’s like Raiders Of The Lost Ark. It’s a caper.”

Her co-star PAULINE QUIRKE also ruled out any upcoming reality show appearances, unlike Lesley’s stint on Strictly.

Pauline Quirke
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Pauline Quirke said after MasterChef she’s finished with reality TV, no matter how much she’s offeredCredit: Rex Features
She said: “My nerves are OK but I wouldn’t be happy doing reality, no matter what the price.

“I’ve had a hip replacement and a knee replacement. I can’t do Strictly and I couldn’t be putting stuff in my mouth. I just couldn’t do it. I did MasterChef and that’s my lot.”