EastEnders fans divided over 'hope' for return of popular character 10 years on
Discussion pages on Reddit have been stirring with rumours since the soap’s new executive producer Ben Wadey revealed he would be bringing back several notable characters under his reign.
So far, this has included Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) and confirmation of Oscar Branning’s (Pierre Moullier) return alongside Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden).
This came just months after high profile returns such as Ross Kemp’s Grant Mitchell, a shock cameo from Anita Dobson as Angie Watts and a Vicki Fowler recast (Alice Haig).
However, there’s one character that seems a certain that some fans would love back – that’s if he’s still alive.
Is Fatboy coming back to EastEnders?
Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb, played by Ricky Norwood, was on the soap for five years from 2010 to 2015.
In that time, Fatboy gained a wealth of fans, particularly for his friendship with Dot Cotton, played by the late, great June Brown.
Fatboy left on Christmas Eve 2015 but was killed off-screen in the next episode.
Since re-appearing in a flashback episode in 2023, fans are predicting he may still be alive.
Fans take to Reddit to talk about a return for Fatboy
“I think Fatboy would make the perfect bubbly partner for Gina,” one user said.
While others suggested: “I like the idea of him still being alive, that means there could be hope he returns under Ben [Wadey].”
“I’d love him back and Ricky Norwood would too, he constantly interacts with the cast on social media and to this day has always been very open about wanting Fatboy back.”
However, others weren’t as convinced, with one person referencing his 2023 one-off appearance, saying: “I think his cameo return with Cindy was the best place to leave it.”
Another said: “It’s complicated as there’s hints he could be alive but there’s no real reason to bring Fatboy in now.”
And another added: “He will always be a beloved character alongside Dot but I’m not sure how he’d fit into the show now – surely he’s grown up, if still alive.”
Who played Fatboy in EastEnders?
British actor Ricky Norwood, aged 42, has had a varied career.
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Since his EastEnders exit he took part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2016 and finished as the runner-up. He has also competed in the 16th series of Dancing on Ice in 2024.
In 2020, Norwood appeared as the loveable rogue Reggie in the Netflix film The Princess Switch: Switched Again alongside US star Vanessa Hudgens.
The following year, he reprised his role for the sequel The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star.
