Fatboy (EastEnders)

Fatboy
EastEnders character
Portrayed byRicky Norwood
Duration2010–2015, 2023
First appearanceEpisode 3926
5 January 2010 (2010-01-05)
Last appearanceEpisode 6758
29 August 2023 (2023-08-29)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Created byEastEnders: E20 series 1 writing team
Introduced byDiederick Santer (2010)
Chris Clenshaw (2023)
Spin-off
appearances
In-universe information
Other namesArthur Chubb
Fat Boy (credited as)
Occupation
  • DJ
  • Market trader
  • Car salesman
  • Fast food worker
  • Barman
  • Waiter
FatherAshley Chubb
WifeMercy Olubunmi (2011)

Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb (also credited as Fat Boy) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders and its Internet spin-off EastEnders: E20, played by Ricky Norwood. He made his first appearance in EastEnders on 5 January 2010 before appearing in the spin-off. Fatboy is one of four main characters in the first series of E20 and makes cameo appearances in the second and third series. He was created by the EastEnders: E20 writing team during a BBC summer school in August 2009. He frequently uses London street slang and is described as brash, confident, caring, a hustler and a womaniser. Norwood won the Best Newcomer award at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards and Most Popular Newcomer at the 2011 National Television Awards for his portrayal of Fatboy, and has been nominated for two further awards. In 2014, Norwood was temporarily suspended from the soap for two months after a tape of improper conduct involving him leaked onto the internet. In November 2015, the character lost his nickname and was simply credited as Arthur Chubb from 20 November until his final appearance.

On 16 October 2015, it was announced that Norwood was to leave EastEnders at the end of his contract. Details of when or how Fatboy would leave were not revealed but Norwood filmed his final scenes later that month.[1][2] He departed on 24 December 2015, but was killed off-screen in the next episode. However, for the death of his friend Dot Branning (June Brown), a card of condolence was sent to her funeral in his name, speculating that Fatboy may have survived his apparent death. In 2023, Norwood filmed an unannounced cameo appearance as part of a flashback sequence to coincide with the return of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), which aired on 29 August 2023.[3]

  1. ^ Daniel Kilkelly (16 October 2015). "EastEnders star Ricky Norwood to leave his role as Fatboy Chubb". Digital Spy.
  2. ^ Duncan, Amy (17 October 2015). "EastEnders spoilers: Ricky Norwood's exit confirmed as Fatboy is written out of the soap after five years". Metro. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  3. ^ Knight, Lewis (29 August 2023). "EastEnders airs twist unannounced return in early BBC iPlayer release". Radio Times.