EastEnders veteran Ricky Groves has opened up about reprising his role as Garry Hobbs after 14 years away from Albert Square. 

Fans were thrilled to see Groves and his on-screen best mate, Cliff Parisi (Minty Peterson), return for Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) 

and Honey Mitchell’s (Emma Barton) combined pre-wedding celebration, known as a “sten do.”

Although their visit to Walford was brief, viewers got a glimpse into where the two characters are now in their lives. Minty is happily married, 

while Garry is living in Minty’s attic and working as a bingo caller—an update that sparked plenty of amusement among fans.

For Groves, stepping back into Garry’s shoes was an emotional and nostalgic experience. Reflecting on the return, 

he admitted that while he loved every moment of it, he wished he could have stayed longer.

A Welcome Return to Walford

Speaking about his EastEnders comeback, Groves described the experience as “an absolute privilege” and “a lovely day” on set. After more than a decade away, he admitted it felt “weird” to be back, but he was thrilled to reconnect with his former co-stars and meet some of the newer cast members.

“It was great to see my old buddies,” he said. “It was also great to meet some of the newer cast. I only wish I was there for more.”

During the episode, Garry and Minty made a surprise entrance at the Queen Vic, instantly lighting up the room. Their arrival was met with shock and excitement, particularly from Billy Mitchell and his friends. Garry immediately questioned the quality of the party, shouting: “Call this a stag do?!” while Minty jokingly teased Billy by saying: “Call yourself a Mitchell?” The pair quickly settled in, bringing back their signature banter and humor.

The revelation that Garry is now living in Minty’s attic amused Groves, who laughed at the idea, saying: “I don’t know where they came up with that, but we were always a double act towards the end.”

Garry and Minty: A Classic EastEnders Double Act

Looking back on their time on the soap, Groves compared EastEnders to Shakespearean storytelling, with a mix of comedy, tragedy, love, and revenge. He and Parisi viewed their characters as the show’s comic relief, filling the roles of “the Laurel and Hardy of the 2000s.”

Their comedic chemistry and on-screen friendship made them a beloved duo in EastEnders history. Garry, the unlucky-in-love mechanic, and Minty, his larger-than-life best mate, were known for their misadventures, romantic mishaps, and unwavering loyalty to each other.

Reuniting with Cliff Parisi

After years apart, Groves and Parisi effortlessly fell back into their dynamic. Groves noted how natural it felt to work with Parisi again, saying: “It was kind of like putting on a pair of old shoes. The chemistry came back within minutes.”

Parisi echoed the sentiment, reminiscing about how much he enjoyed filming with Groves again. “Ricky is great fun and he really made me laugh on the day that we were filming,” he said.

He also praised Groves’ ability to bring humor to the role, adding: “He just has these faces that he pulls—his character is always in shock about something, and it really makes me laugh.”

Parisi also expressed his joy at reuniting with not only Groves but also other long-time cast members, including Perry Fenwick (Billy Mitchell) and Shane Richie (Alfie Moon). He described the experience as “going home” after a long time away.

“It was a bit like being away for a very, very long time and then coming back to your local pub,” he said. “A few familiar old faces around—really lovely to see everyone and work with them again. I really enjoyed it.”

A Nostalgic Celebration for EastEnders Fans

The return of Garry and Minty was a highlight of EastEnders’ 40th-anniversary celebrations. The soap has been pulling out all the stops for its milestone year, with surprise comebacks, nostalgic moments, and even a live episode planned for later this month.

While Groves and Parisi’s return was short-lived, fans have been vocal about wanting more. Many took to social media to express their excitement over seeing the duo again, with some even calling for them to make a permanent comeback.

Although there are no current plans for Garry and Minty to stay in Walford, their brief return served as a reminder of why they were such cherished characters in the first place. Whether or not they’ll make another comeback in the future remains to be seen, but for now, their return has certainly left a lasting impression on EastEnders fans.

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