Former EastEnders icon Danny Dyer has confirmed his starring role in a project with The Football Factory director Nick Love as he wishes his fans a ‘merry f*****g Christmas.’

The update comes a year after he left EastEnders as beloved Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter who vanished at sea without a trace over the festive season last year.

Mick’s intentions for getting into the treacherous waves were honourable, as he set out to save his beloved soulmate L, aka Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), after a pregnant Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) drove the pair of them into the water.

Mick, under Linda’s instruction, saved scheming Janine and their unborn child first before returning to the ocean to retrieve his one true love, unaware of the fact that she had safely made it to shore.

It was recently confirmed that the 2004 sports drama The Football Factory was returning with a bang next year to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

And yes, Danny will be back.

‘The secrets out,’ he began in his latest Instagram post.

‘I’m going back to work with The Football Factory director Nick Love and I cannot f*****g wait. We’re gonna be bang on the marching powder, that’s the name of the film by the way.’

He added: ‘And it starts on January 15th, and there’s gonna be more crime, drugs and serious ultra-violence.

‘And you’re gonna love it, so merry f******g Christmas.’

While fans were living for Danny’s confirmation, others couldn’t help but ask the actor for one thing.

‘Fantastic news!! Please one day, please please come back on Eastenders, it’s not the same without you,’ one person replied.

Danny portrayed Mick Carter in EastEnders (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Another added: ‘Thought you was going to say back on eastenders 😢’

Danny’s soap exit brought to an end a hugely popular era for EastEnders, leaving fans devastated to lose such an iconic character.

Danny, 46, later discussed his reasons for leaving the show, commenting that it was largely due to the decline in standard.

‘The first few years we f***ing smashed it,’ he said of his earlier storylines. ‘It was powerful s**t. The viewer listened to us more than these f***ing c* politicians.

MORE : EastEnders spoilers: Devastating development as Gina believes rapist Dean over victim Linda

MORE : Johnny Carter returns to EastEnders after five years but with a huge twist

Merry Christmas everyone!