EASTENDERS fans will well know who Sid Owen is, who has played the hapless Ricky Butcher on the soap on and off for many years.
However, the soap star has also had a life away from Albert Square which includes appearing on several high profile reality TV shows.
Who is Sid Owen?
Born David Sutton on January 12, 1972, Sid Owen is an English actor, television presenter and former singer.
He is best known for playing Ricky Butcher in EastEnders.
However, Sid actually got his first acting gig in the film Revolution in 1985, in which he appeared alongside Al Pacino and Donald Sutherland.
Over the years, Sid has accumulated quite a fortune and has a net worth of £1.1M.
Is Sid Owen married?
Sid isn’t married, but the actor is engaged to Victoria Shores, after the rekindled their romance during lockdown.
The pair first dated in 1998 after meeting at a party but rekindled their romance after a gap of more than 20 years when they started chatting via Facebook.
He then popped the question in August 2021.
Delighted Sid told the Sunday Mirror at the time: “I never ever dreamt I would have kids.
“The older you get the more distant that idea seems, you give up hope sometimes, so it is a miracle it has happened.
“We’d spoken about it when we talked about marriage but I just didn’t think it was going to happen. I was completely shocked and over the moon.”
Does Sid Owen have children?
In September 2021, Sid revealed that he and Victoria were expecting their first child together.
The couple then welcomed their baby in January 2022.
Sharing a picture of himself in scrubs, kissing Victoria, he wrote: “Been a long a day. But. Can I say.
“I love you Victoria. Thank you for our baby.”
When did Sid Owen play Ricky Butcher in EastEnders?
Sid shot to fame playing Ricky Butcher in EastEnders in 1988.
Over the years he has left the show and returned again on multiple occasions, with his last stint being in 2023.
As lovable mechanic Ricky, Sid was famously involved in a turbulent on-and-off relationship with Bianca Jackson that was the cause of his frequent departures and returns to Albert Square.
What other TV shows has Sid Owen been in?
Over the years, Sid has starred in many high profile shows including the fifth series of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! in 2005, where he finished third in the series.
He also took part in a celebrity boxing match with Ben Fogle for Sport Relief.
In 2006, during a break from EastEnders, Sid starred in gritty prison drama Bad Girls during the shows eighth and final series.
Sid also took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.
Like most other soaps stars, the actor also had a role in The Bill.
In 2023, he returned to reality TV to star in Channel 4’s Banged Up, which sees him living life in a prison.
