Ricky Norwood

Norwood at the 17th National Television Awards in January 2012

In 2009, Norwood was cast in the EastEnders internet spin-off series EastEnders: E20 as Fatboy.[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 the East End—a stone's throw from the real Albert 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 in The Vic."[8] In the run-up to the series, Norwood also appeared in EastEnders for two episodes, and after EastEnders: E20's first series ended, Fatboy became a regular character in EastEnders. Fatboy was called one of the most popular new characters in the show[9] and Norwood won Most Popular Newcomer at the 16th National Television Awards in 2011.[10] Norwood went on to appear in series 2 and 3 of EastEnders: E20 as Fatboy, and has appeared in the spin-offs "East Street"[11] and All I Want for Christmas.[12]

In March 2014, a video surfaced of Norwood reportedly smoking cannabis and performing a sex act during a Skype chat, captured by a woman he had met online. On 1 April, after meeting with BBC and EastEnders bosses, he was suspended from the soap for two months. An EastEnders 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 to EastEnders' 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 from EastEnders 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 leaving EastEnders. 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 of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).[15][16]

In 2013, Norwood appeared on Pointless Celebrities[17] and Sweat the Small Stuff.[18] He also took part in the 2013 Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing, and was paired with professional dancer Janette Manrara.[19]

Norwood's first role after leaving EastEnders was as a "vile, violent homophobe" in Marty Ross's audio drama Romeo and Jude, a gay adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.[20]

From 2016 to 2018, Norwood regularly appeared as a panellist on the Big Brother companion show, Big Brother's Bit on the Side.[21] In July 2016, Norwood became a housemate on the eighteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother.[22] He finished the series as runner-up behind Stephen Bear.[23] In 2020, Norwood appeared as Reggie in the Netflix film The Princess Switch: Switched Again.[24] The following year, he reprised his role for the sequel The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star.[25] In October 2023, it was announced that Norwood would be set to compete in the sixteenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2024.[26]