Danny Dyer Kicks Off SNL UK with Royal Rant and Admission of Live TV Mistrust
The actor referenced his past public criticism of David Cameron and his newfound royal connections during his opening monologue.
Danny Dyer commenced his hosting duties on SNL UK with an opening monologue that touched upon his royal lineage and his admitted unease with live television appearances. The actor acknowledged that audiences may not fully trust him on live broadcasts, citing a previous incident where he used profanity to criticize former Prime Minister David Cameron.
In 2018, Dyer called Cameron a "tw" twice during a live discussion on Good Morning Britain concerning the former PM's role in the EU referendum. Reflecting on this on SNL UK, Dyer stated, "People don't usually trust me on live TV. I think it's because of classism and also that time I called David Cameron a t*** on live TV."
Dyer recounted a conversation with the show's producers, who he said laid down clear rules for his appearance, including a restriction on using a particular swear word. "You know the one, it's the best one. It's OK, I can do it. You know what I mean? I can go 75 minutes cold turkey," he told the audience.
His co-star Lisa McGrillis, present in the audience, challenged his assertion, predicting he would be unable to avoid the word. "I do believe in you, but there's no chance you're going to be able to get through this show without saying that word," McGrillis said, recalling Dyer's frequent use of the word during their work on "Rivals." Dyer, responding to McGrillis, insisted he could manage, suggesting he could showcase other talents like accents. He then attempted Northern Irish and Scottish accents before declining to perform a Welsh accent.
The actor then pivoted to his ancestry, revealing his connection to royalty, a discovery made during an appearance on "Who Do You Think You Are?" He expressed ambivalence about the discovery, questioning who would want to be related to "that little mob." However, he noted that his ancestor is Thomas Cromwell, referencing the historical figure from "Wolf Hall."
Concluding his monologue, Dyer offered a reflective message, urging the audience to "curb your ego, nourish your souls." He then paused, seemingly about to utter the restricted swear word, before falling silent.
Following the broadcast, viewers took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, expressing their approval and calling for Dyer to become a permanent cast member of SNL UK. Comments praised his performance, with some suggesting he should be considered a "national treasure."
This SNL UK appearance follows Dyer's previous viral moment during a Good Evening Britain segment where he strongly criticized David Cameron's handling of the Brexit referendum. During that segment, Dyer questioned Cameron's whereabouts and suggested he should be held accountable for the referendum's outcome. When Piers Morgan attempted to solicit a response from Jeremy Corbyn, Dyer interrupted, reiterating his criticism of Cameron.