Former EastEnders actor Sid Owen is returning to the BBC soap after 10 years off screen. The actor, who starred as Ricky Butcher from 1988 to 2000, has announced he will be making a much anticipated comeback to Albert Square this year.
Sid's character Ricky became a firm fan favourite over the years as he was at the centre of many of Walford's big storylines, most famously with his on-screen wife Bianca Jackson, played by Patsy Palmer.
EastEnders fans fell in love with the pair's rocky relationship, with their on-screen wedding being watched by a whopping 22 million viewers.
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The actor said he is “delighted” to be reprising his role and for viewers to see what's to come.
“I’m delighted to be back at EastEnders. I can’t wait to see what Ricky Butcher has been up to these past few years and how he’s going to react to seeing some familiar faces including old flames. I’m excited to see the drama unfold," Sid said.
Owen’s character is set to reunite with his on-screen troublesome sister Janine Butcher, played by Charlie Brooks.
Brooks last appeared in the soap in March 2014, when her character left for Paris to pick up daughter Scarlett, but made a comeback last year as one of the long-running soap’s best-known villains.
Ricky will also come face-to-face with his ex-wife Sam Mitchell, who is the daughter of Peggy and sister to Phil and Grant Mitchell, played by Kim Medcalf.
She first came to Albert Square in 1990 and was played by Danniella Westbrook.
Chris Clenshaw, executive producer, said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Sid back to the role of Ricky Butcher.
“Sid helped to create such an iconic character in Ricky who became so synonymous with the show and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back for a while.
“Ricky has so much history in the Square to explore and while a lot of time has passed since we last saw him, it’s fair to say wherever Ricky goes, he always finds himself slap-bang in the middle of mayhem.”
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