Danny Dyer has urged fans not to watch his latest TV drama, warning that it’s ‘so dark’ and definitely not for the faint hearted.

The 45-year-old star had a dramatic exit from EastEnders last year, with his character Mick Carter seemingly ending up in a watery grave.

Since departing the popular soap, Dyer has turned his hand to presenting, fronting game show The Cheat alongside Ellie Taylor, and Channel 4’s Scared of the Dark.

But now the Cockney star is making his return to drama with a new four-part drama series called Heat.

Channel 5

Heat centres on British ex-pat Steve Cameron (played by Dyer) and his pal Brad Fisher (played by Darren McMullen) who emigrated to Australia and started families Down Under.

The two families head off on a summer holiday together at a secluded home, but secrets and lies threaten to throw a spanner in the works.

A synopsis from Channel 5 reads: "Heat unfolds to the backdrop of the looming Australian bushfire season when two families, who are long-time friends, venture to a secluded home for a summer vacation.

“As secrets and lies unravel it becomes a tinderbox – and not everyone will make it out alive.”

The four part dark thriller - or ‘nutty bit of work’ as Dyer calls it - begins airing tonight and will run across consecutive nights this week.

However, in a slightly unusual promo-move, Dyer has warned fans ‘don’t go near it’, if they’re of a nervous disposition.

Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, Dyer told hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond: “It’s a nutty bit of work. Channel 5.”

Channel 5

When asked what exactly that meant, Dyer went on: “I got this script and I read it and thought [large exhale]. This is just... I’m going to be straight, I’m here to promote it but, if you don’t like dark things, don’t go near it.”

The actor went on to say that each episode had a more nail biting cliffhanger than the last.

“It’s dark. It’s so dark - I was thinking ‘Can they put this on the telly?’” he said.

During an interview with the Radio Times, Dyer teased a shocking twist towards the end of the mini-series.

“The third and fourth episodes are so good, especially the end of the third one because you think, ‘What the f**k?’ You can’t wait for the fourth, you need to gorge on it immediately,” he said.

"You really can’t believe that this story has taken this mad twist so, at the end, within the fire surrounding, Steve does become the ultimate lion, if you like, within the kingdom."

Heat kicks off tonight at 9pm on Channel 5 and will be back every night at the same time until Friday 14 July.