EastEnders star James Bye enjoys day out with rarely seen family

Fans of primetime soap EastEnders will remember loveable mechanic Ricky Butcher.The character has been absent from Albert Square for quite some time but after ten long years, he’s making a dramatic comeback.The Sun reports that 50-year-old actor Sid Owen, who plays Ricky, will begin filming on set next month with Charlie Brooks, Ricky’s on-screen sister Janine. He’ll also reunite with Kim Medcalf, who plays Ricky’s ex-wife Sam Mitchell. A source revealed: “Bosses have an exciting storyline planned for his return, involving lots of key players.

Fleur East has been named as the early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing 2022.The singer, who was runner-up on The X Factor back in 2014, has high odds to bag the glitterball trophy this year. Bookmakers Ladbrokes are offering odds of 7/2, but Fleur’s still got some fierce competition.TV presenter Helen Skelton and former Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford will be hot on her heels, according to the betting company – who have placed both their odds at 6/1.The exciting odds come after the BBC confirmed the 15 famous faces who will take to the dancefloor when the competition returns in September.

Blue singer Lee Ryan has apologised after he was arrested following an explosive outburst on a flight to London from Glasgow on Sunday afternoon. The 39 year old father of three is said to have got "aggressive" after flight attendants refused to serve him alcohol aboard a plane he was on during a flight into London City Airport. He is said to have gone on a foul-mouthed rant and "turned the air blue" according to onlookers.

BBC EastEnders and former I'm a Celebrity star Dean Gaffney, 44, is reportedly giving the ITV show another try having signed up for an All Stars series, set to be filmed in South Africa. The actor, who played Robbie Jackson in the BBC soap, last appeared in the jungle 16 years ago in 2006 when he headed to Australia alongside hosts Ant and Dec. It's reported that the new all-star series will have a different feel to previous years as the cast will be off to South Africa for the first time in the show's history.

Michelle Collins has married her fiancé Mike Davidson after 10 years of dating. The former EastEnders actress, 60, who portrayed Cindy Beale in the hit BBC One soap from 1988 until 1998, and 38 year old Mike tied the knot in a low-key ceremony in London on Wednesday 10 August.

Jade Goody's son Bobby Brazier was spotted looking very cheery with his co-star Ellie Dadd on Tuesday 9 August. Bobby, 19, is the son of presenter Jeff Brazier and the late TV personality Jade Goody, who died in 2009 from cervical cancer. Heading to film their EastEnders scenes, Bobby and Ellie were all smiles as they looked back at the cameras with Bobby putting the thumbs up.

Sam Womack has shared the devastating news that she's battling breast cancer.The former EastEnders star, who starred as Ronnie Mitchell on the popular BBC soap, took to Twitter to share the news alongside of photograph of her next to the late Olivia Newton-John.The Grease actress had been diagnosed with cancer 30 years ago, and passed away yesterday, Monday 8 August. Sam wrote: "This was the most magical of evenings.

EastEnders viewers have been teased with the arrival of Albert Square's latest hunk Ravi Gulati, played by Aaron Thiara. First seen alongside Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) in prison, Ravi headed straight to Walford after being released, where it soon unfolded that he is the son of Ranveer Gulati (Anil Goutam), the business partner of the Panesars.

EastEnders actress Michelle Collins is reportedly set "to marry fiancé Mike Davidson next week". According to reports, the 60 year old actress, who played Cindy Beale in the long-running BBC soap, is going to say "I do" to her fiancé, who is more than 22 years her junior, on Wednesday 10 August. Michelle and Mike were set up by none other than her niece in 2012, and Mike popped the question whilst on holiday with Michelle in LA, after ten years of being together.

Eastenders legend Gillian Taylforth looked positively glowing as she stepped out with her twin grandchildren for the first time on a family outing this week.The 66 year old appeared ageless as she made an appearance with her baby grandchildren for their first day out with their grandma. Gillian was also joined by her two children Harrison and Jess, as they enjoyed al fresco drinks at an eating establishment. The Eastenders star looked worlds away from her character Kathy Beale on the BBC soap, as she dressed up glamorously for the outing in a black and white printed summer dress.

Next week on EastEnders sees Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) finding her money worries overwhelming as she takes desperate measures. After failing to win a lower deal on the Minute Mart lease, Suki turns to Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and tries to manipulate her into providing a loan, but it doesn't go her way. Out of options, Suki agrees to meet Ranveer Gulati (Anil Goutam) and strike a deal.

It has only been five weeks since actor Ricky Champ and his wife Sammy welcomed their second child, River, into the world. But as the couple adjust to life as a family of four they tell us they have been inundated with support from the EastEnders family. Ricky, 42, who plays Stuart Highway in the soap, revealed that Danny Dyer in particular has been spoiling the newborn.

Ricky Champ and his wife Sammy have announced the arrival of their second child, a baby boy, along with his adorable name. The EastEnders star, 42, who portrays Stuart Highway in the hit BBC One soap, and Sammy, 34, welcomed their first son at 4.50pm on 23 June - two weeks earlier than planned. Sammy and Ricky, who are also parents to four year old daughter Beatrix, exclusively told OK! about their son's early arrival via C-section and then revealed that they have decided to name him River, with the actor describing the moniker as "cool" and "a bit hippie".

Becoming parents of a second child isn’t without its challenges, but for EastEnders actor Ricky Champ and his wife Sammy, becoming a family of four seems to have been a seamless transition. It was only five weeks ago their son River arrived via C-section, but already the couple have found their natural rhythm, balancing the demands of a newborn with making sure their four-year-old daughter, Beatrix, gets lots of attention too.

The ex-girlfriend of EastEnders actor Max Bowden, Roisin Buckle has opened up and said “he has missed scans" and hasn't been in touch with her for a over a month. Roisin, 37, is expecting the Ben Mitchell star’s son later this year and has claimed he has not been in touch with her in six week. Max, 27, announced he and his ex-girlfriend Roisin were expecting their first child together in April despite having split up earlier in the year after a short romance that first saw them go Instagram official in October.

Peggy Mitchell is set to return to Albert Square, as EastEnders airs a special flashback episode based around the iconic character. Jaime Winstone, 37, who previously took on the role of Dame Barbara Windsor in BBC biopic Babs, will lead the cast as Peggy Mitchell. The character of Peggy died of breast cancer in 2016 and the late Dame Barbara Windsor, who famously played the feisty character, died in 2020 aged 83 after battling Alzheimer's.

EastEnders viewers are set to be glued to their screens this week as another drama-filled week unfolds on screens with Ben Mitchell's (Max Bowden) life continuing to spiral. His behaviour leaves him in deadly danger and, after upsetting daughter Lexi (Isabella Brown) by missing her dance exam, he turns to drugs again instead of attending a family dinner. After leaving a voicemail, Ben collapses on the Square.

Rose Ayling-Ellis is enjoying her summer holidays and while she has left her work duties behind temporarily, she has decided to spend part of her time off with her work colleagues!MORE: Rose Ayling-Ellis wows in unique psychedelic polo topThe current Strictly Come Dancing champion headed to Latitude Music Festival over the weekend and was accompanied by some of her EastEnders co-stars, including Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter, and Maddy Hill, who stars as Nancy Carter.WATCH: Rose Ayling-Ellis supports Giovanni Pernice weeks after love island romance confirmedSharing several photos from her days away, Rose looked like she was having the best time at Henham Park, Suffolk, where the festival is held every year.READ: Rose Ayling-Ellis is a summer dream in stunning sunbathing snapMORE: Rose Ayling-Ellis wows in red bikini for Strictly reunionIn the first snap, the actress could be seen posing for the camera whilst wearing a denim mini skirt, a black crop top matched with a white shirt and muddy ankle boots. She accessorised her festival-approved look with a yellow bucket hat and colourful sunglasses.