Danny Dyer stars as Freddie Jones in Rivals and he revealed that in order to achieve the ‘chubby’ look of the businessman, he relied on food deliveries and many sausages
Danny Dyer has revealed he fell ill while filming hit series Rivals after eating 12 sausages a night.
The former EastEnders star, 48, is returning as Freddie Jones to Rivals Season 2, which began filming in early 2025. The second season, scheduled to premiere on May 15, will continue the 1980s-set drama, with Danny teasing more chaotic “steamy” content and a “beautiful” continuation of his character’s journey.
However, he has now confessed that he struggled during filming as he was “encouraged to eat” to play his role as the “chubby” businessman. He revealed his poor diet – made of plenty of food deliveries and sausages – led to constipation.
READ MORE: Danny Dyer ‘having a mare’ on Rivals 2 set as he says new season is ‘better than the first’
He told The Sun: “I was living on my jack in Bristol, living off Deliveroos. And I’d buy a pack of sausages – which is a 12 pack. So I found myself making 12 sausages of a night. Not every night as I’d be f—–g dead.”
Sharing further details on the Live and Let Dyers podcast, he said he didn’t have enough olive oil in his diet, which worsened his constipation. Rivals will debut on May 15 with a three-episode premiere, followed by weekly releases for the remaining three.
The second batch of episodes is set to follow “later in the year” on Disney+ and Hulu. The series continues to adapt Jilly Cooper’s novel, focusing on the escalating war between Corinium and the new rival channel, Venturer, amidst the “hedonistic glamour” of the 1980s.
In addition to Danny, David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner and Katherine Parkinson are all confirmed to return. Hayley Atwell is joining as Helen Gordon (Rupert’s ex-wife) and Rupert Everett as her husband, Malise.
While attending the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards, Danny told fans that the second series “is so much better than the first.” He said, “It’s a beautiful job for me [and] I love working with Katherine [Parkinson].”
Speaking on the new series, Executive producer and Rivals author Dame Jilly Cooper said: “I’m utterly sex-static filming for the second season is upon us. It was magical working with Happy Prince and Disney+ on the first season and seeing everyone fall head over heels for my beloved characters.
“I’m delighted to be able to work with them again and for everyone to see what further mischief they all get up to!”
Disney+ has promised in audiences will be getting “even more wit, desire, and dramatic twist” as “power struggles escalate and rivalries deepen” and “ambition drives every move” with loyalties are pushed to the “edge”.
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