EastEnders star Sid Owen lands first new role in eight years as he signs up for new film alongside Ex On The Beach star
EASTENDERS alum Sid Owen has landed his first new role in eight years as he signed up for a new film alongside actress Daisy May Cooper and Ex On The Beach star Jess Impiazzi.
Apart from appearances in EastEnders, Sid’s last acting credit was in the 2016 short film Angels and Cowboys, though he did return to the small screen for the reality prison series Banged Up.
52-year-old actor Sid is best known for playing Ricky Butcher on the BBC soap.
But he will now take on a completely different role in the upcoming movie A Day With An Eating Disorder.
The star-studded feature – which is helmed by writer and filmmaker Lynn Crilly – is a powerful story set to “provide a voice” to those struggling with eating disorders.
Sid immediately knew he wanted to be involved with the project.
He explained: “Mental health and eating disorders affect lots and lots of people. I know someone who has gone through an eating disorder and it’s really tough.
So it’s great to be able to take part in a project which looks to break down stigma and help people.”
Sid is among a number of celebs who have agreed to appear in the new film for free.
Also taking part is actress and former TOWIE star Jess Impiazzi Missing actor Paul Cooper who will star alongside his daughter Daisy-May Cooper, as well as comedy legend Bobby Davro and former Hollyoaks star Mikayla Dodd.
A Day With An Eating Disorder is being produced by filmmaker and author Lynn, who also counsellor specialising in supporting those living with conditions, including anorexia and bulimia.
Her daughter Samanta will star in the film, which comes 20 years after Sam was diagnosed with an eating disorder and OCD.
Lynn, author of Hope With Eating Disorders, says the film is needed to provide a voice to those suffering and their carers.
It’s unclear what role Sid will play at this time, but viewers can expect it to be a world away from the loveable Ricky Butcher.
Sid was a regular on EastEnders from 1988 to 2012, leaving after his character split with Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer). However, he briefly returned in 2022 and 2023, before leaving again, this time heading off to Germany after gaining custody of his niece Scarlett.
Since leaving the soap, Sid has gone on to welcome a child of his own. He became a dad to daughter Skye at age 49 and is loving life as a first-time parent.
EastEnders stars who've been on Strictly Come Dancing
Throughout its 20-year history, Strictly Come Dancing has welcomed several stars from BBC soap EastEnders. Here's a look at how some of them did over the years.
- Christopher Parker (Series One): Christopher played Alfie Moon’s (Shane Richie) younger brother Spencer from 2002 to 2005. finished as runner-up in Strictly’s first series.
- Jill Halfpenny (Series Two): Jill starred as Kate Mitchell in EastEnders from 2002 to 2005. She triumphed over Denise Lewis and Julian Clary to win the second series of Strictly.
- Louisa Lytton (Series Four): Known for her role as EastEnders’ Ruby Allen, Louisa took part in Strictly’s fourth series. She finished in fourth place.
- Letitia Dean (Series Five): Letitia, who debuted as Sharon Watts in the show’s first episode, took to the Strictly dance floor in series five. She finished in fourth place.
- Matt Di Angelo (Series Five): Dean Wicks actor Matt also competed in series five of Strictly, finishing as runner-up behind Alesha Dixon.
- Gillian Taylforth (Series 6): Gillian, known for her long-running portrayal as Kathy Beale, took part in series 6. She ended up being the second person voted out.
- Jessie Wallace (Series 6): Kat Slater actress Jessie also competed in series 6, but was fourth voted out.
- Scott Maslen (Series 8): Scott, who plays Jack Branning, reached a respectable fourth place on Strictly.
- Kara Tointon (Series 8): Kara, who played Dawn Swann, won Strictly series 8 back in 2010.
- Sid Owen (Series 10): Sid, who played Ricky Butcher, was eliminated in the show’s fourth week.
- Jake Wood (Series 12): While his EastEnders character Max Branning was unlucky-in-love, actor Jake fared better with a fifth-place finish on Strictly.
- Kellie Bright (Series 13): Kellie – aka Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter – finished as the runner-up of series 13.
- Emma Barton (Series 17): Known for playing Honey Mitchell, Emma reached third place on Strictly in 2019.
- Maisie Smith (Series 18): Formerly playing Tiffany Butcher-Baker, actress Maisie was 2020’s second-place Strictly finalist.
- Rose-Ayling Ellis (Series 19): Rose won over viewers’ hearts when she soared to victory in 2021.
- Bobby Brazier (Series 21): Having joined the cast as ‘Freddie Slater’ in 2022, Bobby joined the 2023 Strictly line-up. He finished in third place.
- Jamie Borthwick (Series 22): Jamie, aka Jay Brown, won the 2023 Strictly Christmas Special – and has been signed up for the next full series.
“It’s great. Tiring, but I’m loving every minute of it,” he said of parenting.
Despite his busy schedule, Sid hasn’t completely ruled out a return to Walford.
“Never say never,” he admitted. “It would be my fifth time, but there’s no plans right now. I stay in touch with everyone there so you never know what might happen in the future.”
Meanwhile, Sid’s co-star, 35-year-old Jess, comes to the project after starring on TOWIE and a string of film and TV acting roles, including the 2022 Keep Calm and Carry on TV miniseries.
Jess signed on to the project after connecting with Lynn as a result of her own eating disorder.
She said: “Lynn has also helped me and people I know in the past and to be a part of something close to their hearts is so important to me.”
The actress who trained in dance, which is often wrapped up in body image issues, says she fully understands the psychology behind eating disorders.
She said: “I understand the mindset of eating disorders, especially with my roots in dance, and it can be really hard to overcome without the right help and people around you. So it’s important to highlight and help others.”