You have to laugh at the tabloids sometimes. After West Ham’s game, lifelong fan Danny Dyer was accused of taking part in a crass “X-rated sing-song” at the London Stadium.
Now, we all know what that headline is doing — it’s there for clicks. Because the reality is far less dramatic. Dyer was doing what thousands of West Ham fans do every week — joining in, having a laugh, and not taking himself too seriously.
Let’s not forget, he’s not just any fan either. He’s family now. His daughter Dani Dyer is married to West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, which makes the terrace chant hit a little closer to home than most. But even without that connection, Dyer would’ve been there anyway — he’s West Ham through and through.
Danny Dyer and the West Ham chant — what actually happened
The song in question? The now-infamous yet still amusing: “Bowen’s on fire, and he’s shagging Dani Dyer.”
And yes, Dyer joined in.
But here’s the thing — he always has. I’ve heard him asked about that chant before, and he’s got absolutely no issue with it. In fact, he once hilariously described it as “romantic”. Maybe not everyone’s idea of poetry, but in football terms, it’s hardly offensive — it’s part of the banter.
This wasn’t outrage, it wasn’t inappropriate behaviour — it was a bloke having a laugh at his own expense. If anything, it shows exactly why fans warm to him. There’s no ego, no distance — just someone who joins in.
Leeds defeat shows the reality behind the headlines
What the tabloids don’t show is the bigger picture.
Cameras kept cutting to Dyer throughout the quarter-final defeat to Leeds United, and you could see how much it meant to him. Every kick, every chance — he was living it like the rest of us.
And it wasn’t exactly an easy watch. Seeing his son-in-law step up for a crucial penalty and miss would’ve been tough. That moment shifted the momentum and gave Leeds the edge, despite some early heroics from young keeper Finn Herrick.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough for one afternoon, things carried on outside the ground. Dyer’s car was surrounded by Leeds fans on the way out, chanting at him while he sat inside with his wife.
And how did he handle it? Exactly how you’d expect.
With a smile, a bit of humour, and no drama.
That’s the reality of Danny Dyer. Proper West Ham, doesn’t take himself too seriously, and handles everything with a bit of class — even when the cameras and headlines try to make something out of nothing.
And if we’re being honest, that’s why he’s a credit to the club. After all, if neither Jarrod or the Dyers are taking offence, why should anyone else?