Ricky Butcher

Name: Ricky Butcher
First Appeared: 12th May 1988
Last Appeared: 26th January 2023
Played by: Sid Owen

Ricky Butcher, the man who could charm the birds out of the trees and then forget why he did it in the first place, has been a staple of Albert Square since he first rocked up in 1988. With his cheeky grin and a heart of gold, Ricky’s journey through Walford has been anything but dull.

Ricky’s early days were marked by teenage rebellion and a knack for getting into trouble. Moving to the Square with his dad, Frank Butcher, and sister, Diane, Ricky quickly became known for his less-than-stellar academic record and his talent for fixing cars. His on-again, off-again relationship with Sam Mitchell was the stuff of soap legend, filled with more ups and downs than a rollercoaster at the fair.

But it was his fiery romance with Bianca Jackson that truly cemented Ricky’s place in EastEnders history. Their wedding, complete with Bianca’s iconic “Rickaaay!” shout, is still one of the most memorable moments in the show’s history. Despite their tumultuous relationship, which included affairs, breakups, and makeups, Ricky and Bianca always seemed to find their way back to each other, proving that true love never runs smooth, especially in Walford.

Ricky’s life took another turn when he became a father to Liam and Tiffany. Juggling parenthood with his various jobs, from mechanic to taxi driver, Ricky’s dedication to his kids showed a softer side to the lovable rogue. Even when life threw him curveballs, like dealing with Bianca’s infidelities or his sister Janine’s endless dramas, Ricky always tried to do right by his family, even moving to Germany for work when his marriage to Bianca ended.

In recent years, Ricky has returned to the Square on occasion, and always brings a wave of nostalgia and a reminder that some things never change. Whether he’s getting caught up in another of Janine’s schemes or trying to keep the peace between his loved ones, Ricky Butcher remains a beloved character whose heart is always in the right place, even if his head isn’t.