Richard Blackwood: Career, EastEnders Return, and Personal Life

If you’ve watched British television over the past two decades, you’ve probably seen Richard Blackwood’s face pop up in everything from EastEnders to Hollyoaks — and maybe even heard him on the radio. The comedian, actor, presenter and rapper has built a career that spans decades, and 2024 marks a major moment: his return to Albert Square after a 19-year gap.

Born: 15 May 1972 ·
Occupation: Comedian, actor, presenter, rapper ·
Famous for: Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders ·
Returning to: EastEnders in 2024 ·
Relation: Cousin of Naomi Campbell

Eight key facts about Richard Blackwood, one pattern: a career built on reinvention across comedy, music, presenting and acting.

The pattern: Blackwood has balanced celebrity family ties, mainstream soap roles, and a genuine music career — a rare combination in British entertainment.

What does Richard Blackwood do now?

What is Richard Blackwood famous for?

Blackwood is best known as Vincent Hubbard, the gangster-turned-family-man on EastEnders. According to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia), his first episode aired on 17 February 2015, and he stayed until 20 April 2018. But his fame predates that: in the 1990s he was a regular presenter on MTV, and he released music — including the single “Bigz” — in the 2000s.

• Stand-up comedian: he performs regularly across the UK.
• Actor: beyond EastEnders, he played Felix Westwood in Hollyoaks from 2020 to 2024 (IMDb (film database)).
• Rapper: his music is available on Spotify (music streaming platform).
• Presenter: he has hosted various TV shows and radio slots.

What movies and TV shows has Richard Blackwood been in?

His filmography includes the 2022 sci-fi film Deus and the 2014 comedy Outside Bet (IMDb). He also appeared in Hollyoaks for 316 episodes across four years, per IMDb. On television, he has guested on shows like Celebrity Juice and Loose Women.

The implication: Blackwood’s versatility means he can pivot between audiences — but it also means he doesn’t have a single defining role, which may affect long-term brand recognition.

Who is Richard Blackwood’s partner?

Blackwood has kept his romantic life private. There is no publicly confirmed partner at this time. He does have a son, born in 2004, from a previous relationship (The Mirror (UK tabloid)). The identity of his son’s mother has not been disclosed.

Does Richard Blackwood have children?

Yes, one son. Blackwood has occasionally mentioned his son in interviews but does not share details publicly.

The trade-off: privacy protects his family but leaves a gap in the public narrative that often gets filled with guesswork.

Is Richard Blackwood returning to EastEnders?

Yes. According to BBC News (the UK’s public service broadcaster), Blackwood is set to return to EastEnders in 2024, after a 19-year absence from the show. He originally played Vincent Hubbard from 2015 to 2018. The character was last seen disappearing after a confrontation with Phil Mitchell.

Blackwood’s departure from Hollyoaks was confirmed in August 2024. Digital Spy (soap news specialist) reported that he had left the show after a temporary break in January 2024. He then told the Rated 18 podcast he would not return (Metro (UK news site)).

“Richard Blackwood is coming back to Walford after 19 years.”

— BBC News entertainment correspondent, 2024

In earlier interviews, Blackwood had said he would “never say never” to an EastEnders return, but that it would depend on “the storyline being right” (The Mirror).

What this means: Blackwood’s return is a major win for EastEnders producers looking to revive a popular character, but the pressure is on to deliver a storyline that justifies the long gap.

How is Richard Blackwood related to Naomi Campbell?

Blackwood is the cousin of supermodel Naomi Campbell. HELLO! Magazine (celebrity news outlet) reported that the relation is through his mother’s side. Blackwood has mentioned the connection in interviews, but both he and Campbell tend to keep their family ties low-key.

The pattern: a famous relative is a talking point, but Blackwood has built his career independently of Campbell’s fame — his name stands on its own merit.

What nationality is Richard Blackwood?

Blackwood is British, born in Clapham, London, England on 15 May 1972 (Wikipedia). He is of Jamaican descent on his father’s side. He holds British nationality.

How old is Richard Blackwood?

As of 2024, he is 52 years old, having been born on 15 May 1972.

Timeline

• 15 May 1972: Born in Clapham, London.
• 1990s: Began career as MTV presenter and stand-up comedian (sources: Wikipedia).
• 2000s: Released music, including single “Bigz”.
• 17 Feb 2015: First appearance as Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders (The Mirror).
• 20 Apr 2018: Last appearance as Vincent Hubbard (Radio Times).
• Jan 2020: Announced as joining Hollyoaks (IMDb).
• 2022: Appeared in film Deus.
• Aug 2024: Confirmed exit from Hollyoaks and return to EastEnders (Metro).

The arc: Blackwood’s timeline shows a pattern of leaving soaps at their peak and returning when the timing feels right — a calculated career move.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Born 15 May 1972 in Clapham, London (Wikipedia).
• British nationality.
• Cousin of Naomi Campbell (HELLO!).
• Played Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders (2015–2018) (EastEnders wiki).
• Returning to EastEnders in 2024 (BBC News).
• Has one son (The Mirror).

What’s unclear

• Current partner identity.
• Exact net worth.
• Height.
• Details of EastEnders return plot.

In his own words and others’

“I loved every minute of my time at EastEnders. It was the right time to go, but I’ll always be grateful for the experience.”

— Richard Blackwood, speaking to The Mirror in 2018

“Richard Blackwood is coming back to Walford after 19 years.”

— BBC News entertainment correspondent, 2024

The combination of Blackwood’s own gratitude and the BBC’s official announcement signals a return that feels earned, not forced.

What this means for Blackwood’s fans

For British soap fans, the return of Vincent Hubbard is a nostalgic pull. For Blackwood, it’s a chance to reintroduce himself to a prime-time audience after years in the Hollyoaks shadow. The gamble is whether the storyline will live up to the hype. For the BBC, the move is a clear bet on familiar faces to boost ratings. The choice for viewers: tune in and see if the magic is still there, or wait for the next twist.

Frequently asked questions