Is Ricky Champ Returning to EastEnders?
So here’s what’s up—Ricky Champ, the actor who made Stuart Highway one of the Square’s wildest blokes, is officially coming back to EastEnders, after (what, three years?) away. This isn’t just some rumour rattling around on fan forums—multiple news outlets and, apparently, a few chirpy insiders from the show itself are confirming it. Basically, expect Stuart Highway to stroll back into Walford for a limited period. The soap’s not saying he’ll be staying forever, but they do want fans to buckle up for some classic drama now that Ricky’s dusting off Stuart’s coat and heading back to Albert Square.
Ricky Champ played the role of Stuart Highway in the show from 2018 to 2022
Scrolling back a bit—Stuart Highway made his grand entrance in 2018, went from a creepy villain (remember him leaving Ben Mitchell for dead?), to a guy struggling with some heavy stuff: cancer, postnatal depression, and watching his marriage crack under the pressure of it all. His last spin, back in 2022, saw him leaving Walford with his wife Rainie after the sort of intense family drama that EastEnders absolutely lives for.
But taking some time away hasn’t dulled Ricky’s (or the fans’) appetite for Square trouble. According to The Sun (yes, they tend to get these things right when it comes to casting shake-ups), the deal is done for a Stuart return—but, for now, only for a “limited period.” Apparently, it’s enough time to ruffle a few feathers, upset more than one old enemy, and bring in “some drama” Walford-style.
And let’s be honest, EastEnders needs a bit of the old edge these days—someone unpredictable, a little dangerous, but who can bring some heart to it. Ricky’s take on Stuart always had that gearshift between menace and vulnerability. If the show’s writers give him some good material, it could mean fireworks and, hopefully, some gritty, emotional scenes—not just shouting across the Square at 8 p.m.
By the way, some fans are guessing that Stuart’s new stint could be tied in with the rumoured return of Max Branning. There’s no confirmation of linked storylines yet, but—come on—if the Square’s reunion-happy, no one’s ruling out a face-off or two. Either way… limited or not, Stuart’s back on the clock.
