Ricky Norwood From EastEnders: What Is He Doing Now?
(Image/ Source: itv.com)
Ricky Norwood is probably best known for his stint on EastEnders and the online spin-off show EastEnders: E20.
He also appeared on the eighteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother, finishing second overall. Since then, the actor has been living out of the spotlight, and fans are curious to know what the East London actor is up to now.
So what is Ricky Norwood doing now?
What is Ricky Norwood Up To?
Ricky Norwood left EastEnders in 2015 and fell into relative obscurity after his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016.
Since then, he appeared briefly in a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special and also as a regular panellist on Big Brother’s companion show, Big Brother’s Bit on the Side.
But fans have recently been shocked to see him appear in one of Netflix’s biggest films of 2020, alongside Vanessa Hudgens.
(Image/ Source: Instagram @officialrickynorwood)
Ricky Norwood appears as Reggie in The Princess Switch: Switched Again, the sequel to The Princess Switch, which debuted on Netflix in 2018.
In the original, Vanessa Hudgens plays both Stacy DeNovo and Lady Margaret Delacourt of Montenaro, doppelgängers who decide to switch lives.
The sequel introduces a new Hudgens character, Lady Fiona, who has a plan to become Queen. To do so, she is helped by Reggie, her sidekick.
Fans took to social media to voice their surprise at seeing Fatboy appear in the American film. “Fatboy from eastenders is the last person i expected to see in the princess switch 2,” one person on Twitter said.
In December 2020, Ricky confirmed that he’ll be returning to play in Reggie in the third instalment of the Netflix franchise. The actor posted a picture of the film’s script and revealed that he’s currently filming in Edinburgh.
“Guess whooos Back !!!! So happy and grateful to be back doing what I love,” he said.
Who Did He Play on Eastenders?
Ricky Norwood appeared on EastEnders and its online spin-off between 2010 and 2015.
He’s first seen at a party thrown by Lucy Beale, and in his time on the show had minor storylines with iconic characters like Alfie Moon, Dot Branning, and Phil Mitchell.
(Image/ Source: closeronline.co.uk)
Karen Eastenders: All About Her And The Actress Playing Her
However, Ricky’s exit from the show wasn’t entirely planned. The actor was suspended when a leaked video emerged that showed him smoking cannabis and engaging in a sex act over Skype.
His suspension was for two months, but the show’s bosses ended up axing the character of Fatboy in a dramatic Christmas Day 2015 episode.
In the end, Fatboy is targeted by Claudette Hubbard after getting involved in her feud with the Mitchells. He is killed after being crushed in the boot of a car.
Celebrity Big Brother Journey
Just after his EastEnders journey ended, Ricky joined the eighteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother. Other cast members included Stephen Bear, Frankie Grande, and Christopher Biggins.
(Image/ Source: Instagram @officialrickynorwood)
Stephen Bear Net Worth: How Rich Is The Controversial Star?
On the show, Ricky revealed more about his axing from EastEnders. He said: “I went into deep depression, I didn’t want to leave my house.”
But he admitted he was glad to have starred on the show, saying “I was only supposed to be there for three months, I was there just under six years.”
Fellow EastEnders actor Danny Dyer admitted that Ricky was his personal choice to win the series. On Twitter, he said, “Wasted talent. Shame he had to go down this route. I get it though… Gotta earn them readies.”
Ricky subsequently ended up finishing second to Ex on the Beach star Stephen Bear.
Who Is Ricky Norwood Dating?
As well as his acting life, Ricky has managed to keep his love life a secret over the last few years, too.
(Image/ Source: mirror.co.uk)
He started dating Sugababes singer Jade Ewen in 2009, but the pair sadly split in 2011.
At the time, Ricky was still busy with his EastEnders role, and Jade was preparing to release a comeback single with the girl group.
After his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, the 33-year-old was seen reuniting with his then-girlfriend. However, it’s unclear if the two are still together.