Danny Dyer to deliver Channel 4's alternative Christmas message

The EastEnders actor, described by Channel 4 as "the unofficial man of the people", will be shown sitting at a festively decorated table, sipping tea out a royal wedding mug emblazoned with the faces of Prince Harry and Meghan.

The 41-year-old star will again give his views on the state of the country's leadership.

A video clip shows him saying: "That shambles down in Westminster, what a palaver that is. I mean, where are our leaders? Where are they? There's been more backstabbing than we have in Albert Square."

He will also take aim at US President Donald Trump, who faced criticism in November after he cancelled a visit to a cemetery in France "due to the weather".

Dyer says: "It ain't any better for the Yanks though, is it, you know. What an absolute melt they've got there. He don't want to turn up to memorials because it's raining. He don't fancy a little trip to Britain because there's people here that just don't like him. Leave off."

Mr Trump is not the first political leader to feel the wrath of Dyer, who earlier this year called David Cameron a "twat" on national television.

Dyer launched a diatribe against the former prime minister while appearing as a guest on ITV's one-off show Good Evening Britain, and gave him a tongue lashing over the EU referendum and Brexit.

The Alternative Christmas Message, which will be shown at 3.50pm on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, will also include a nod to the centenary celebrations of the Armistice and the women's vote.

Dyer will also "call for more heroes and role models", and reveal a few of his personal ones including playwright Harold Pinter, who died in 2008.

He says: "My dad... he weren't around when I was a kid. And er... you know, I love him and that, I don't blame him.

"I was brought up by my mum and my nan, and they were brilliant women, and they worked their socks off for me, but I was angry, and I got into trouble, you know. I had the Old Bill round my gaff every five minutes. I was a wrong un.

"And no-one knew how to help me. And then one day I found a father figure I didn't even know I needed."

He goes on to say that Pinter "became the most influential man in my life" who taught him "that where I came from didn't dictate where I went to".

"I teach my girls they can be who they want to be, and I try and teach my boy to be a good man.

"Now don't get me wrong, I ain't no saint, you know, I can do better. I think we can all do better. And as dads, we can't stop trying to do better until there's no need for hashtags to remind us that no means no."

He signs off saying: "Life can get a little stressful and we might get on each other's nerves a bit, but remember how much there is to be proud of, to be grateful of, and get yourself a Harold, you know, if you can. Merry Christmas, my loves."

Tom Beck, Channel 4's head of live events and commissioning editor for entertainment, said: "We're thrilled to have Danny Dyer delivering this year's Alternative Christmas Message.

"From his colourful opinions on Brexit to his hilarious and moving appearance with daughter Dani on Celebrity Gogglebox, when Danny speaks, people listen. His message is full of wit, heart and just the right amount of Dyer attitude. Merry Christmas, loves!"

A Christmas message has been broadcast by Channel 4 since 1993 and last year's was delivered by child survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Previous messages have been delivered by the parents of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, Sharon Osbourne and even The Simpsons' Marge Simpson.

The alternative Christmas message will air on Channel 4 on December 25 at 3.50pm.