Quick Facts
Biography
Richard "Ricky" Groves (born 23 April 1968) is an English actor best known for playing Garry Hobbs in EastEnders from 2000–09. Before his role in EastEnders he appeared in the series Burnside, a spin-off from The Bill. He trained at The Poor School in London.
Other TV work
He also appeared in London's Burning (Series 12, Episode 15 on 16 June 2000) as Brett, a lad who is locked in a room with a bomb at a disused swimming pool.
Groves appeared on BBC's School's Out on 28 July 2007, and won £1600 for his school. In the show he revealed his nickname at school was 'The Rickster', a name which he is still referred to today by close family and friends.
He participated in the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing and was paired with professional dancer Erin Boag. They were voted out in week 10.
He and his family appeared on the sixth series of All Star Family Fortunes.
On 18 February 2010 Groves appeared on The Weakest Link Eastenders Special. He was the second contestant voted off.
Ricky took part in TV series Celebrity Coach Trip partnered with friend Alex Ferns.
In 2011 he appeared in one episode of Holby City, transmitted on 12 July.
He participated in the 2011 series of Celebrity MasterChef.
Also took part in the 2014 series of Splash on ITV.
In 2016 he appeared on the ITV programme "Who's Doing the Dishes?"
Personal life
Groves became engaged in 2005 to girlfriend and EastEnders co-star Hannah Waterman who played Laura Beale. The pair married in a ceremony on 2 September 2006, in a country church on Dartmoor. In January 2010, it was announced that Groves and Waterman, were to separate after 3½ years of marriage.
He is a keen supporter of Leyton Orient. Groves has also talked of his love of gardening shows on television, and partook in a gardening trivia quiz when he was interviewed by Tony Livesey on Five Live in October 2010.