EASTENDERS star Danny Dyer explored his Tudor roots when he filmed his new documentary at Layer Marney Tower.

The actor, who has also had roles in Casualty and the Bill, visited the tower, built in the 1520s, last summer.

While at England’s tallest Tudor gatehouse, which is known to have been visited by King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, Danny learnt how to make a Tudor collar with historian Ruth Goodman.

Staff at the tower were sworn to secrecy and only allowed to reveal all this week.

Owner Nicholas Charrington said: “They filmed in the Long Gallery where we normally hold parties and weddings.

“Everybody who works here was terribly excited.

“We have had to keep schtum – it was best to keep quiet – but it requires a lot of restraint when everything gets put up on social media in this age.”

 

The tower was chosen for its rich Tudor history.

The actor previously discovered he was descended from King Edward III on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?

The documentary, called Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family, follows him as he explores royal, aristocratic and saintly ancestors.

Along the way he finds out he is related to William the Conqueror, King Louis IX and medieval knight Henry Hotspur Percy.

While filming for the show, Danny brushed up on his etiquette, learning to sing and dance just like one of Henry VIII’s courtiers.

Viewers will then get to see him make the Tudor ruff collar at Layer Marney.

Danny’s family also join him in Tudor finery for an Elizabethan sugar banquet.

Mr Charrington added: “We know Henry VIII stayed here for a couple of nights and Queen Elizabeth came to visit too – it ticked all the boxes.

“In the digital age the filming is much more modest, but they had make up people and directors.

“When they film it can end up as nothing or could be five or ten minutes – we just hoped we didn’t end up on the cutting room floor.”

Staff were also enthralled with the actor and managed to get pictures with Danny.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

“He was a really nice guy, very open and friendly,” Mr Charrington added.

“He was genuinely interested in the whole discovery of what his family had been up to in history.

“While he was here he seemed like a genuine guy.”

l The first episode airs tomorrow at 9pm on BBC One.

The second episode follows a week later.