Actor Danny Dyer decided to accept a role in longrunning British soap opera Eastenders over fears his career had become a joke following a string of film flops.
The Business star will join the beloved show at Christmas (13) after spending several years snubbing offers from Bbc bosses to become a member of the cast.
Now he reveals his floundering film career pushed him to take the leap to the small screen, and he hopes he can turn his fortunes around like his idol Sir Michael Caine.
Dyer tells Britain's The Sun newspaper, "Back in the Eighties, Michael was known for making terrible films and now he's been knighted. I can hope!
"I did too many people favours (accepting film roles). I realised, 'F**king hell, I'm becoming a bit of a joke here.' I'm my own worst enemy. I don't blame anyone but myself."
Dyer's most recent big screen release, Run for Your Wife, which also features Ray Winstone and Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding, was deemed a massive failure after it earned just $963 (£602) from U.K. ticket sales in February (13).
Packed with cliches, there's nothing remotely original about this East London crime thriller, which seems...
Jimmy Vickers is a Special Forces Interrogator who returns home from his run in Afghanistan...
British farces work on stage, but usually feel agonisingly stupid on screen. And this is...
Corporal Rains is a young yet committed soldier, when his unit is ambushed behind enemy...
Woody is a pimp and fixer for his boss Stanley and Soho in London is...
Yet another retread of the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, this London crime caper...
Watch the trailer for Dead Man Running Mr Thigo is a man you don't want...
London: present day. In lawless streets the guilty are left unhindered to go about...