the announcement that Patsy Palmer, his on-screen wife, was also returning to the show. In February 2011 he announced that he was taking a break from the show. Of his decision Owen said, "I will be taking a break from EastEnders so that I can dedicate more time to Drop 4 Drop, a charity to help alleviate the global water crisis in the developing world. Ricky will definitely be returning to Walford at some point next year." He appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from December 2007 to January 2008 at The Beck Theatre, Hayes, Middlesex as Prince Charming. He also presented series 8 of To Buy or Not to Buy with Melinda Messenger. In January 2012, Owen once again left EastEnders after four years back in the role. He returned for a few weeks in June 2012, before leaving again to run a restaurant in France On 10 September 2012, it was announced that Owen would be a contestant for the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing. He was partnered with Ola Jordan. He and Jordan were the third couple to be eliminated, losing out in the dance-off against Colin Salmon. Owen took part in the 2016 series of The Jump on Channel 4. In 2016, Owen signed a contract with the BBC and opined that he should return to EastEnders to "finish the storyline or go back for a length of time." Then in 2022, it was confirmed that he would reprise his role as Ricky for a brief stint. Personal life Owen has four brothers: Mark, Darren, Martin and Scott. Owen's father, David, was an alcoholic who left home when he was six years old; his mother, Joan, died from pancreatic cancer when he was eight. He then attended Anna Scher Theatre school. Sid's favourite hobby is football, playing in many celebrity matches in the process and is an Arsenal supporter. In 2000, he was engaged to Carty Hubbard as he took her around the world for two years but split up in 2003. In October 2006, he began a relationship with Genie in the House actress, Polly Parsons. In April 2012, Owen told the Sunday Mirror that they were still good friends but not together any more, and that he was single. Owen had a daughter in 2022. Filmography Discography References External links 1972 births Male actors from London Alumni of the Anna Scher