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DANNY Dyer is to take a break from EastEnders to appear in a series of high-brow theatre productions.

The cockney actor, 40, will take at least six weeks away from Albert Square to appear in two plays written by Harold Pinter, alongside Martin Freeman.

 Danny Dyer is to take a break from EastEnders
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Danny Dyer is to take a break from EastEndersCredit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

The legendary British writer had a career spanning more than 50 years and penned productions including The Birthday Party and Betrayal.

And Danny, who has played pub landlord Mick Carter since 2013, became a close friend and protege of Pinter after appearing in his debut production of Celebration in 2000 — his first play in 15 years.

He appeared in two other of his plays and even stayed at his home.

An EastEnders show source said: “Danny will need to take at least a month and a half away from the soap.

“He needs to spend a considerable amount of time in rehearsals and on stage so it only makes sense to give him a break from filming.

 He will star in a season of plays written by Harold Pinter.
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He will star in a season of plays written by Harold Pinter.Credit: Getty - Contributor
 He will feature alongside Martin Freeman
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He will feature alongside Martin FreemanCredit: Getty - Contributor
 The play is written by legendary writer Harold Pinter
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The play is written by legendary writer Harold PinterCredit: Getty - Contributor
 He will star in them at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London
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He will star in them at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London

“He’s a huge part of the show and viewers love him so obviously nobody wants to see him away for too long.

"But this is something he’s really passionate about.”

He will star opposite Martin Freeman, 46, in productions of A Slight Ache, about a mysterious figure entering a country home, and The Dumb Waiter, about two hit-men awaiting their next job, from January 31 to February 23 2019

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It will be part of a series of shows which will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London from September to February 2019, marking ten years since the renowned playwright passed away.

Speaking about Harold in 2013, he said: “I miss him, you know, he was a good influence on me. He was the only person who I feared but loved.”

It isn’t Danny’s first dabble with high society after he was revealed as a descendant of royalty including William the Conqueror and Edward III on BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?.

Danny Dyer finds out he is descended from royalty on Who Do You Think
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