Richard Blackwood Now: EastEnders Return, Net Worth & More

For anyone who watched his journey from MTV to Albert Square, Richard Blackwood’s career has always been one of reinvention. After a dramatic exit from EastEnders in 2018, the comedian and actor has kept busy across comedy stages, radio studios, and even a return to soaps. But what exactly is Richard Blackwood doing now, and is there any truth to the whispers of an EastEnders comeback?

Born: 15 May 1972 ·
Occupation: Comedian, actor, presenter, rapper ·
Known for: Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders ·
Years active: 1990s–present ·
Instagram followers: 264K

Seven facts that define Richard Blackwood’s public profile:

What does Richard Blackwood do now?

Richard Blackwood’s current television roles

• He played Felix Westwood in Hollyoaks across 316 episodes from 2020 to 2024 (IMDb).
• In 2025 he appeared in one episode of The Madame Blanc Mysteries (IMDb).
• He has expressed interest in returning to EastEnders despite his character’s death (Female First).

Richard Blackwood’s music and comedy career

• Blackwood began as a rapper in the 1990s and later hosted The Richard Blackwood Show on MTV (Wikipedia).
• He performs stand-up comedy regularly; a January 2025 show at Wolverhampton Arts Centre was priced at £18 advance (Wolverhampton Arts Centre).
• In March 2025 he was announced as a guest on the Real Deal Comedy Jam Live Tour (Real Deal Comedy Jam (Facebook)).

Richard Blackwood’s social media presence

• He is active on Instagram and Facebook, where he promotes shows and engages with fans (Instagram).
• His Instagram following is approximately 264,000.

Bottom line: Richard Blackwood remains active in comedy and occasional TV roles. For fans hoping to see him back on the Square, the door is open—but no deal is signed.

Is Richard Blackwood coming back to EastEnders?

Official statements about return

• As of early 2025, no official announcement from the BBC or EastEnders has confirmed Blackwood’s return (Female First).
• Blackwood himself has said he wishes his exit storyline had been handled better and that viewers should not have had to wait three years to learn Vincent Hubbard had died (Female First).

Fan speculation and rumors

• A 2025 entertainment report claimed Blackwood teased a possible comeback despite Vincent’s brutal exit, but the claim comes from a low-authority Facebook post (Facebook entertainment post (unverified)).
• Fans continue to campaign for a return, but no concrete evidence exists.

Vincent Hubbard character status

• Vincent Hubbard was killed off-screen in 2018, though his death was only confirmed on screen in 2021 (Female First).
• Soap logic allows for retcons, but an official return would require a storyline rewrite.

Bottom line: No official return is in motion. Blackwood has expressed frustration with how his departure was handled, but that doesn’t translate into a comeback contract.

Why did Richard Blackwood leave EastEnders?

The reason for his departure

• Blackwood left EastEnders in 2018 citing personal reasons, including a family tragedy (Female First).
• His character was written out as part of a gangster storyline that left Vincent’s fate ambiguous for years.

Behind-the-scenes factors

• The departure was reportedly amicable; no public disputes with the production team have surfaced.
• Blackwood has since moved on to Hollyoaks and other projects, indicating no lasting rift with soap opera work.

His own account of leaving

• In a 2025 interview, Blackwood said he wished the exit had been handled differently and that the long wait to confirm Vincent’s death was unfair to fans (Female First).

The pattern: Blackwood’s critique of the drawn-out death suggests he remains engaged with the character’s legacy, even if a return is unlikely.

Who did Richard Blackwood play in EastEnders?

Character Vincent Hubbard

Richard Blackwood played Vincent Hubbard, a gangster who arrived in Albert Square in 2015 as the son of Claudette Hubbard and later married Kim Fox (Digital Spy).

Vincent’s storyline

• Vincent was involved in criminal dealings, family feuds, and a dramatic exit when he disappeared after a confrontation with the Mitchells.
• His death was confirmed off-screen in 2018, with the character reportedly killed by Phil Mitchell’s men.

Duration of role

• Blackwood appeared in 268 episodes from 17 February 2015 to 20 April 2018 (IMDb).
• His casting was announced on 17 January 2015 (Digital Spy).

What is Richard Blackwood’s net worth?

Estimated net worth

• Various online sources estimate Blackwood’s net worth at £1-2 million, though none are verified by public financial records (Wikipedia).
• No official disclosure from Blackwood or his representatives exists.

Sources of income

• Acting: EastEnders (268 episodes), Hollyoaks (316 episodes), The Madame Blanc Mysteries (IMDb).
• Live comedy: Tour dates at venues like Wolverhampton Arts Centre (£18 per ticket) (Wolverhampton Arts Centre).
• Radio presenting and TV guest appearances.
• Music royalties from his 1990s rap career.

Comparison to other EastEnders actors

• Blackwood’s estimated net worth is moderate compared to long-serving cast members, but consistent with a performer who balances multiple income streams.

Timeline

Key milestones in Richard Blackwood’s career: 6 dates, one pattern: from MTV to soaps to stand-up, a career built on adaptability.

• 15 May 1972 – Born in Clapham, London (Wikipedia)
• 1990s – Began career as MTV presenter and rapper (Wikipedia)
• 2000s – Hosted The Richard Blackwood Show; performed stand-up comedy
• 2015–2018 – Played Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders (268 episodes, IMDb)
• 2018 – Left EastEnders citing personal reasons (Female First)
• 2020–2024 – Played Felix Westwood in Hollyoaks (316 episodes, IMDb)
• 2019–present – Continues stand-up, radio work, social media presence
• January 2025 – Live show at Wolverhampton Arts Centre (Wolverhampton Arts Centre)

The implication: Blackwood’s career arc shows a shift from mainstream TV to independent touring, prioritising creative control over network stability.

Clarity check

Grounded facts versus open questions about Richard Blackwood:

What this means: The balance of known vs. unknown shifts toward speculation, reinforcing the need for cautious reporting on Blackwood’s future plans.

Quotes

I wish my EastEnders exit storyline had been handled better. Viewers should not have had to wait three years to learn Vincent Hubbard had died.
— Richard Blackwood, as reported by Female First (entertainment news)

Celebrating three decades in entertainment, Blackwood has worked across TV, radio, stand-up, and theatre.
— Wolverhampton Arts Centre (venue listing)

Dealing with nearly being cancelled is something I’ve had to navigate.
— Richard Blackwood, in an interview shared by Channel 5 News (Facebook)

The pattern: Blackwood’s public statements consistently address unfinished storylines and personal resilience, revealing a performer who values narrative closure.

What’s next for Richard Blackwood?

Blackwood is scheduled to appear on the Real Deal Comedy Jam Live Tour in 2025 (Real Deal Comedy Jam (Facebook)). He continues to post regularly on Instagram and Facebook, hinting at new projects without revealing specifics. Whether his next major move is a return to Albert Square or a different stage, his career remains in active motion. For fans of British comedy and soap drama, Blackwood is a performer who refuses to stay in one box.

Frequently asked questions

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