Between the years of 1988 and 2000, Sid Owen was a fan favourite addition to EastEnders as Ricky Butcher.
The 50-year-old star continued to make occasional appearances on the BBC soap until 2012, but now it’s been more than a decade since he stepped foot in Walford.
That is about to change though, as the broadcaster has confirmed his return, with Chris Clenshaw, the executive producer of the programme, saying: “Sid helped to create such an iconic character in Ricky who became so synonymous with the show and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back for a while.
“Ricky has so much history in the Square to explore and while a lot of time has passed since we last saw him, it’s fair to say wherever Ricky goes, he always finds himself slap-bang in the middle of mayhem.”
Away from the cameras, Sid has another reason to celebrate, as he recently got engaged to his partner.
Who is Sid Owen dating?
(Image: @sidowen/instagram)
Sid got engaged to his long-term girlfriend Victoria Shores last year, with him popping the question in October 2021.
Victoria is a 42-year-old waitress, with the couple knowing each other for more than 20 years.
They first met at a party, which led to them dating for a year.
Victoria told The Mirror: “It was a big party. Kate Moss was there, John Galliano, Noel Gallagher, Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger. Sid doesn’t remember how we met, but I do.
“I remember standing in the kitchen and having a glass of wine. He walked in and I thought he had a cheeky smile.”
Following their year-long romance, Victoria ended up marrying another man, with whom she had two children.
Twenty years later, the two reconnected on Facebook, leading them to pick up their relationship where it left off all those years before.
Does Sid Owen have children?
(Image: @sidowen/instagram)
Yes, in January 2022, Sid and Victoria’s first child was welcomed into the world.
They had a beautiful baby girl named Skye.
Sid told the Sunday Mirror: “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.”
(Image: @sidowen/instagram)
Sid also revealed that it wasn’t an easy birth, as Victoria lost litres of blood and nearly died.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I couldn’t cope with losing Vic, I was more concerned about her.
“I’m still trying to process the trauma of it. It was the toughest moment I have ever experienced.”
Victoria required a blood transfusion while delivering the baby, which was completed via C-section.
Thankfully, the birth was a success and Victoria made a full recovery afterwards.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
