EastEnders star teases return to soap after cast reunion - 'Anything can happen'
Ricky Norwood briefly reprised his role as Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubbs in EastEnders in a flashback episode last year, and fans have been speculating about his return ever since. The iconic character was an Albert Square regular for six years, but was killed off-screen in 2015 in a shock storyline.
With Fatboy's body never being shown on the soap and a mysterious card signed by him appearing at Dot Cotton's (June Brown) funeral, fans have continued to hope that Ricky, 41, could make an EastEnders comeback one day. The actor has admitted he'd happily reprise his soap role if asked and appears to still be super close pals with his ex co-stars.
A snap showing him reuniting with Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, and Jamie Borthwick, who portrays Jay Brown, caused a stir on social media recently. With Ricky appearing to still be on great terms with his EastEnders co-stars, soap fans have hoped the reunion photos are a hint about things to come.
Following his brief return in an episode focusing on Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) last year, Ricky has continued to be questioned about returning to the BBC One soap. He previously said "anything can happen" and is open to discussing a potential return should TV bosses want to bring Fatboy back.
He told Radio Times: "The thing with EastEnders is that anything can happen. I've got a lot of love for EastEnders, I've got a lot of friends and family that are still there. I call them family because you share a lot there.
"You really build a strong bond with the people that you work with. Whether you die onscreen or offscreen, there have been returns. EastEnders had a year full of great storylines. Christmas was fantastic. So if they ever needed Fatboy back in the Square, all they've got to do is give me a call."
Ricky was thrust back into the spotlight earlier this year as he took part in ITV's Dancing on Ice. He was the sixth celebrity to be eliminated from the competition.
Speaking about his reasons for taking part in the show, the actor said: "I was like, 'Let's do it. Why not?' It is going to be something that I'm going to have as a skill under my belt for years to come. We are doing very intense, very specific and very difficult stuff. By the time I finish this show, I'm going to be proficient."
