Ricky Norwood
Norwood in 2022
Born	Richard James Saggar (1983-04-26)26 April 1983 (age 41) London,United Kingdom
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2009–present
Television	EastEnders EastEnders: E20 Celebrity Big Brother Dancing on Ice

Ricky James Norwood (néSaggar; born 26 April 1983) is a British actor fromLondon, known for portraying the role ofFatboy in theBBC One soap operaEastEnders (2010–2015, 2023) and its online spin-offEastEnders: E20 (2010–2011). Following his initial exit from the soap, Norwood appeared as a housemate on theeighteenth series ofCelebrity Big Brother in 2016 and finished as the runner-up. He has also competed in thesixteenth series ofDancing on Ice in 2024.

Norwood was born Ricky James Saggar on 26 April 1983 inForest Gate,Newham inLondon to anEnglish father and aKenyan-Indian mother.^[1][2][3] He lives inWanstead.^[4] From the age of 12, he attended theTheatre Royal Stratford East's Youth Theatre and also studied Performing Arts atBarking College. With friends, Norwood started a production company, writing, producing and starring in five original productions which were performed at the Theatre Royal Stratford.

Ricky is a fan of Tottenham Hotspur football club.^[5]

Norwood's theatre credits includeDaddy Cool atShaftesbury Theatre,Sick at theAlmeida Theatre andThe Stones at theRoyal National Theatre.^[5]

In 2009, Norwood was cast in theEastEnders internet spin-off seriesEastEnders: E20 asFatboy.^[6][7] Norwood said of his casting: "I am so excited to be on the show. It's an honour to now be part of a show that has been on in my house for as long as I have been alive. I am born and bred in theEast End—a stone's throw from the realAlbert Square. It feels like a homecoming. I love being part of a cast that feels like family and can't wait to have a scene inThe Vic."^[8] In the run-up to the series, Norwood also appeared inEastEnders for two episodes, and afterEastEnders: E20's first series ended, Fatboy became a regular character inEastEnders. Fatboy was called one of the most popular new characters in the show^[9] and Norwood won Most Popular Newcomer at the16th National Television Awards in 2011.^[10] Norwood went on to appear in series 2 and 3 ofEastEnders: E20 as Fatboy, and has appeared in the spin-offs "East Street"^[11] andAll I Want for Christmas.^[12]

In March 2014, a video surfaced of Norwood reportedly smokingcannabis and performing a sex act during aSkype chat, captured by a woman he had met online. On 1 April, after meeting with BBC andEastEnders bosses, he was suspended from the soap for two months. AnEastEnders spokesperson said: "Ricky Norwood has been suspended from the show for a period of two months with immediate effect. In addition, Ricky would like to apologise toEastEnders' viewers for any offence caused and for bringing the show into disrepute."^[13] On 16 October 2015, it was announced that Norwood had been axed fromEastEnders after nearly six years in the role of Fatboy, after show bosses chose to write the character out.^[14] Norwood filmed his final scenes later that month and producers chose to keep details surrounding Fatboy's exit under wraps. A show spokesperson said, "We can confirm that Ricky will be leavingEastEnders. We wish him all the best for the future",^[14] whilst a show insider commented: "Ricky is a great guy and very popular on set. He's leaving the show as it's the end of Fatboy's storyline, but everyone wishes him well for the future."^[14] His last on-screen appearance was on 24 December 2015, and it transpired that the character was killed off-screen when crushed in the boot of a car. In August 2023, Norwood made a cameo appearance as Fatboy in a flashback episode surrounding the return ofCindy Beale (Michelle Collins).^[15][16]

In 2013, Norwood appeared onPointless Celebrities^[17] andSweat the Small Stuff.^[18] He also took part in the2013 Christmas special ofStrictly Come Dancing, and was paired with professional dancerJanette Manrara.^[19]

Norwood's first role after leavingEastEnders was as a "vile, violent homophobe" inMarty Ross's audio dramaRomeo and Jude, a gay adaptation ofRomeo and Juliet.^[20]

From 2016 to 2018, Norwood regularly appeared as a panellist on theBig Brother companion show,Big Brother's Bit on the Side.^[21] In July 2016, Norwood became a housemate on theeighteenth series ofCelebrity Big Brother.^[22] He finished the series as runner-up behindStephen Bear.^[23] In 2020, Norwood appeared as Reggie in theNetflix filmThe Princess Switch: Switched Again.^[24] The following year, he reprised his role for the sequelThe Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star.^[25] In 2024, Norwood appeared as a contestant on the sixteenth series of Dancing on Ice.^[26] He was paired withAnnette Dytrt and was sixth to be eliminated.^[27]

He has a role in upcoming Christmas filmJingle All the Slay.^[28]

• Ricky Norwood atIMDb

• 1983 births
• 21st-century English male actors
• Actors from the London Borough of Newham
• English male soap opera actors
• English people of Indian descent
• English people of Kenyan descent
• English male film actors
• English male radio actors
• English male stage actors
• Living people
• Male actors from London
• Participants in British reality television series
• People from Forest Gate

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• Use British English from August 2023
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