The hunky copper has a strong sense of responsibility, but he’s also a practical joker with a cheeky sense of humour.
I don't know what to do about my family sometimes!
2006 Mum Diane dies in a hit-and-run and he takes on responsibility for younger siblings Sonny and Sasha. Slacker dad Leo moves in but is more trouble than the kids! Dates beautician Louise Summers.
2007 Proposes to Louise after she falls pregnant. Devastated when Louise claims she’s miscarried and dumps her after discovering that she aborted their child and had an affair. Half-brother and half-sister Danny and Lauren arrive in the village. Starts dating Carmel McQueen.
2008 Accidentally proposes to Carmel, but chooses to commit to the engagement. Compromises his job and principles to buy heroin for addict sister Sasha when she can’t cope with withdrawal.
Ricky was born in 1980 in Oldham, but his father Harry was in the RAF and the family moved many times around the UK and abroad when Ricky was young.
As a teenager Ricky had a promising future as a footballer and he was scouted by both Arsenal and Celtic football clubs but an injury scuppered his footballing dreams. Ricky decided on a career in law instead and started a degree course at Southampton University while modelling part-time. He quit the course after his agency put him forward for a role in Sky One’s football drama Dream Team. Ricky has also guested in BBC medical drama Holby City.
Still a keen footballer, Ricky has played in many charity matches, both during his time at Dream Team and more recently with his Hollyoaks co-stars. In 2004 he suffered a serious fracture during a game and has a metal rod in his leg, but it hasn’t stopped him from playing.
Ricky once dated model and DJ Saskia Porter aka DJ Sassy but he is currently with Hollyoaks co-star Carley Stenson, who plays Steph Dean. Ricky lives in Liverpool.
