EastEnders viewers were in for a nostalgic treat on Wednesday (February 12) when Ricky Groves made an unexpected return to the BBC One soap. 

The 56-year-old actor, best known for his portrayal of lovable mechanic Garry Hobbs, 

appeared alongside his on-screen best friend Minty (Cliff Parisi) as they joined Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) for his stag do.

Groves first set foot in Albert Square back in 2000, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Over the course of nine years, his character, 

Garry, was involved in numerous gripping storylines, from tumultuous relationships to heartbreaking tragedies.

Garry Hobbs’ Dramatic EastEnders Journey

Throughout his time on EastEnders, Garry Hobbs had a turbulent love life, most notably his long-term on-again, off-again relationship with Lynne Slater (Elaine Lordan). 

The pair’s romance came to a tragic end after their baby, Vivienne, was stillborn following an emergency C-section. The devastating loss pushed Garry to the brink, culminating in a near-fatal suicide attempt—only to be saved by his best mate, Minty.

In 2009, Garry finally found his happy ending when he got together with Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon). The couple left Walford to start a new life together, marking Groves’ departure from the show. While Garry’s exit was a bittersweet moment for fans, his recent return alongside Minty sparked waves of excitement and nostalgia among long-time viewers.

A Real-Life Love Story Behind the Scenes

Beyond his on-screen drama, Ricky Groves also found romance in real life while working on EastEnders. He and actress Hannah Waterman, who played Laura Beale on the soap, became romantically involved after their characters shared a dramatic storyline in 2002. In the show, Laura had a drunken one-night stand with Garry and later claimed he was the father of her baby—only for it to be revealed that her husband, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), was the real father.

While their on-screen relationship was filled with conflict, Groves and Waterman’s off-screen romance flourished. The couple got engaged in 2005 and tied the knot in 2006. However, their marriage ended less than four years later.

The Truth Behind Their Split

Following their separation, rumors swirled that Waterman’s dramatic weight loss had caused tension in their marriage, with reports suggesting that Groves struggled with her transformation. However, Waterman was quick to dismiss such claims, telling Mirror Online:

“The idea we split up and our marriage broke down just because I lost a couple of stones is ridiculous. There’s always going to be more than one reason why a couple splits up, but those reasons are between us. Ricky knows what happened, and so do I.”

At the time, Waterman was unaware that she was dealing with an undiagnosed health condition. She later revealed that her rapid weight loss was due to type 1 diabetes, a diagnosis she received after her marriage had already ended. Reflecting on that period, she told OK! Magazine, “I wish I had known it at the time – I could have told the world, ‘Back off – I’m ill.’”

Moving On and Finding Happiness Again

Both Ricky Groves and Hannah Waterman have since moved on with their lives. Waterman is now happily married to fellow actor Huw Higginson, while Groves also found love again and is now wedded to Kay Russel.

Ricky Groves’ Career Beyond EastEnders

Since leaving EastEnders in 2009, Groves has kept busy with various acting projects. He made an appearance in Doctor Who in the episode Thin Ice and lent his voice to Markus Creevy in Crime of the Century. He has also been featured in TV series such as Crime Stories, Going Forward, and The Tab Theory. In addition to his television work, Groves also took on roles in film, including the cinematic thriller Two Days in the Smoke.

His recent return to EastEnders, even for a brief cameo, delighted fans and reignited interest in his much-loved character. Whether Garry Hobbs will make another return to Albert Square remains to be seen, but his latest appearance alongside Minty was a welcome dose of nostalgia for long-time viewers of the show.

What’s Next for Ricky Groves?

With his brief return to EastEnders making headlines, fans are wondering if Ricky Groves might make a more permanent comeback to the soap. While nothing has been confirmed, his presence on the show has reminded audiences of the warmth, humor, and charm that made Garry Hobbs such an iconic character.

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