Actor Danny Dyer has described his appearance on ITV’s groundbreaking new series The Assembly as “the most open and honest interview that I’ve ever given”.
The four-part programme, airing from Saturday, April 26, features well-known figures being interviewed by a group of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people. With no topics off-limits, the show promises raw and unfiltered conversations that aim to challenge the usual celebrity interview format.
Joining Dyer in the hot seat are football legend and Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker, Doctor Who star David Tennant, and former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall.
Reflecting on the experience, Dyer, 47, said: “It was like three hours [of filming], so it took a while for everybody to trust me in the room, and I think they did. Again, it was very emotional and it was very refreshing, really, to be able to open up about my feelings in front of such a beautiful, intelligent and honest group of people.”
He added, “I think I’m quite naturally an emotional person anyway; I’m very sensitive… I was getting really bored of my own voice [doing press for his film Marching Powder], but this revitalised me somewhat. It got me excited about being interviewed again.”
When asked who he’d like to see take on the show’s unique questioning panel next, Dyer quipped: “Any f****** politician, because I would like to see them squirming in their seat trying to answer the beautiful questions that The Assembly have.”
Best known for playing Mick Carter in EastEnders and for his role in cult film The Football Factory, Dyer is no stranger to the spotlight. However, The Assembly offered him a new kind of challenge — one focused not on performance, but vulnerability.
The format is adapted from the French series Les Rencontres du Papotin, which began in 2022 and has welcomed guests including actress Camille Cottin and President Emmanuel Macron.
The UK version has been produced using ITV’s diversity commissioning fund, which was launched in 2022 to support inclusive storytelling.
The Assembly premieres on Saturday, April 26 at 10.05pm on ITV1, STV, and streaming platforms ITVX and STV Player. Early streaming will also be available from 7am on the same day.
