Yahoo Sport 
EastEnders star Ricky Champ opens up on potential show return
EastEnders actor Ricky Champ has revealed whether he'd return to Albert Square to reprise his role as Stuart Highway in the future.
The soap star, who is currently appearing as Ben in West End play 2:22 Ghost Story, shared what he believes to be his character's whereabouts at present and his response if he was asked to go back to Walford.
"He didn’t die. He rode off into the sunset. I think he’s somewhere in the North Circular living with Rainie," he exclusively told Digital Spy, adding of a possible return: "You never know".
Related: Game of Thrones star Ricky Champ open to House of the Dragon role
Champ admitted that his character Stuart had quite the development during his time on the show, but he enjoyed the challenges the role brought.
"In EastEnders I went from villain to hero to dad," he said. "It was amazing, doing that for five years with a character’s arc. It felt weird leaving him."
Champ – whose other acting credits include Game of Thrones and Him & Her – left the BBC soap in August last year. He marked his departure at the time with a heartfelt Instagram post, paying tribute to Stuart and summing up his time on the show as a "crazy, amazing journey".
The actor is currently charming audiences in London's West End in the Danny Robbin written thriller 2:22 Ghost Story. He stars alongside One Tree Hill's Sophia Bush, Count Abdulla star Jaime Winstone and McMafia's Clifford Samuel.
Related: Former EastEnders star Ricky Champ reunites with on-screen brother Tony Clay
In the play, Ben (Champ) is the new partner of Lauren (Bush), who accompanies her to a dinner party with old university friend Sam (Samuel) and his wife Jenny (Winstone). Jenny believes her new house is haunted and asks her guests to stay up until 2:22am to get answers.
Champ has received lots of support from fans and his colleagues for his new theatre role. "I've got lots of people coming from EastEnders, lots of friends coming to see it," he tells us.
The soap star also revealed that his former EastEnders co-star Jake Wood, who also played Ben in a previous production of 2:22, gave him some words of encouragement to take the role when it was initially offered. "He said 'Yeah, do it, it’s a gift'," adds Champ, recalling the pair's phone conversation.
2:22 A Ghost Story is playing at London's Apollo Theatre until September 17.
You Might Also Like
