Ricky Norwood might not be an A-lister just yet, but when it comes to this year’s ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, he’s definitely one of the more familiar faces of the bunch.
Thanks to his stint on ‘EastEnders’, as Fatboy, many viewers will recognise the actor, and we’ll be getting to know the man himself a whole lot better as the month continues.
But what else has he been up to in the years before entering the ‘CBB’ house? Find out everything you need to know, with these 9 facts in 90 seconds…
1. He left ‘EastEnders’ in 2015
Ricky bowed out at Christmas, two months after it was announced that he was being axed.
2. But he hasn’t ruled out returning - despite being killed off
In soapland, a little thing like dying doesn’t mean you can’t come back. As Fatboy’s body wasn’t actually seen, many fans have insisted he could return, and this is something the man himself agrees with.
3. In 2014, Ricky hit headlines for the wrong reasons
He was suspended by ‘EastEnders’ bosses, when a video appearing to show him smoking cannabis was recorded on Skype, by a woman he met online. His suspension lasted two months, and the show’s spokesperson issued a statement apologising on his behalf.
4. Here’s what he did after ‘EastEnders’
Ricky’s first post-soapland role was in ‘Romeo And Jude’, a modernised version of Shakespeare’s play, which focussed on a gay couple.
5. Ricky began training as an actor at the age of 12
He attended the Theatre Royal Stratford East’s Youth Theatre and went on to study performing arts at Barking college.
6. Ricky previously dated Sugababe Jade Ewen
The duo were a couple for two years, until splitting in 2011.
7. He’s trod the boards in a variety of productions
His theatre credits include ‘Daddy Cool’ at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and the Almeida’s production of ‘Sick’.
8. ‘CBB’ is his first reality TV appearance
While many of his fellow housemates are dab hands being filmed 24/7, or partaking similar shows, Ricky is venturing into the unknown.
9. But he does know ‘Big Brother’ very well
Since 2015, Ricky has been a frequent guest on ‘Big Brother’s Bit On The Side’, so he certainly knows how the game is played.