Fatboy (EastEnders)
Fatboy | |||||||||||
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EastEnders character | |||||||||||
Portrayed by | Ricky Norwood | ||||||||||
Duration | 2010–2015, 2023 | ||||||||||
First appearance | Episode 3926 5 January 2010 | ||||||||||
Last appearance | Episode 6758 29 August 2023 | ||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
Created by | EastEnders: E20 series 1 writing team | ||||||||||
Introduced by | Diederick Santer (2010) Chris Clenshaw (2023) | ||||||||||
Spin-off appearances |
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Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb (also credited as Fat Boy) is a fictional character from the
On 16 October 2015, it was announced that Norwood was to leave EastEnders at the end of his contract. Details of when or how Fatboy would leave were not revealed but Norwood filmed his final scenes later that month.
Storylines
Fatboy meets with friend Mercy Olubunmi (Bunmi Mojekwu) to help with a project to encourage more young people to the church. They meet Leon Small (Sam Attwater) and Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny) and start squatting in a flat. On their last night in the flat, he arranges a party but leaves before the police arrive. Knowing they can no longer stay there, he invites Zsa Zsa, Mercy and Leon to stay at his house in Wanstead, but Mercy goes home to her grandmother. After several weeks, Leon and Fatboy return to Walford to look for Zsa Zsa, who has run away. They eventually settle in and make new friends. Fatboy, Leon, Zsa Zsa, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), Lucy Beale (Melissa Suffield) and Lucy's brother Peter (Thomas Law) go to Hampshire and he attends a party with Peter while the others spend time in the woods. He is reunited with Mercy but a fight breaks out, so they escape and drive back to Fatboy's uncle's home. Peter hits something with the van and the next day they fear it was Leon, as he is missing, but he eventually turns up.
During a party at the community centre, Fatboy smuggles in alcohol and kisses
Fatboy gets a month's trial on the market with his own stall, starting a repair business. He reveals that his father,
Fatboy develops feelings for his friend Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), though Whitney is involved with Tyler Moon (Tony Discipline). When Whitney and Tyler's relationship breaks down, Fatboy admits his feelings for Whitney and the pair start a relationship. Eventually, Whitney admits that she wants Tyler. Fatboy is heartbroken and punches Tyler. When Denise Fox (Diane Parish) gets unwanted attention from a man at a party, Fatboy defends her and they end up having sex. The next morning, an embarrassed Denise tells him it was a mistake, but he cannot stop thinking about her, and eventually plucks up the courage to go to her house, where she is unable to resist him. However, the relationship ends, and Fatboy then starts a relationship with Poppy Meadow (Rachel Bright). Eventually, Fatboy and Poppy both go to lodge with Dot. Fatboy and Poppy's relationship turns sour when Poppy suggests that they should buy a house together. He suggests to Poppy that they rent a flat to begin with and take it from there. However, when Denise feels uncomfortable with the way fiancée Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is treating her, she gets comfort from Fatboy and the pair are unable to resist each other. When Poppy finds out that they shared a kiss, they realise that they are not right for each other and break up.
When Fatboy is told that he is no longer needed to work at
Fatboy gets tangled in Vincent's vendetta against the
When Vincent discovers that Claudette killed his father Henry, he nearly strangles her to death for this and for Fatboy's death but is stopped by Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker), after which she falls down the stairs during a scuffle with Patrick. Vincent buries her in his basement afterwards, but Claudette escapes and tells Donna that Vincent tried to kill her. Vincent says Claudette killed her husband, Henry, but Donna does not believe him, so he reveals that Claudette had indirectly killed Fatboy. Donna tells Vincent and Claudette to leave, but Patrick arrives and confirms that Vincent is telling the truth about Henry. When Donna accuses Claudette of only fostering her to ease her guilt, Vincent tells Claudette to leave Walford, and gives Donna Fatboy's necklace to remember him by.
In December 2022, after Dot dies, a condolence card is sent to Dot's house, reading "Mrs B – Forever in my heart. Arthur x", hinting that Fatboy may have survived his apparent "death". In 2023, Fatboy is seen in a flashback to the night of Lucy Beale’s (Hetti Bywater) murder where he crosses paths with Lucy’s mother Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who was believed to be dead.
Creation and development
Fatboy is one of four characters created for the first series of the EastEnders online spin-off EastEnders: E20 who also appear in the main show, along with Zsa Zsa, Leon and Mercy. Fatboy, along with the other characters from E20, was created by the show's thirteen writers during a summer school run by the
Although his co-stars Attwater and Kenny were axed from the cast in May 2010,
Characterisation
When the character was announced, he was described as a hustler who sees everything as an opportunity, and has created several personas since the age of seven to hide his real self.
Norwood said the character's introduction was "trying to bring the street to Albert Square"[14] and that the street slang the character uses is what he grew up with himself.[14] He described the character in an interview with entertainment website Digital Spy as "[wanting] to be a gangsta at times, a caring person, a player, a womaniser, the businessman... There are so many things that he wants to be and that shifts depending on the situation,"[18] adding that he is quick to solve problems and always has a plan.[18] Additionally, a profile for the character on the official EastEnders website calls him brash, a wheeler-dealer, confident and a loveable soft-touch.[19]
Norwood said in January 2011 that Fatboy has developed over time and is continuing to develop, with more sides to his personality being shown.
Relationships
Mercy Olubunmi
In April 2011, Mercy faces deportation to Nigeria, and Fatboy plans to save her by proposing. Norwood revealed that Mercy is shocked by the proposal, adding "Mercy thinks he's lost his marbles, but soon comes round to the idea. Fatboy reckons that this isn't about his feelings, it's all about keeping her in the UK. Of course, he's also hoping that if she stays, maybe she'll end up liking him in the way he likes her. [...] You can get into a lot of trouble for [trying to fool immigration officials], [b]ut all Fatboy can think is, 'How can I save Mercy?' She's the girl he loves."[21] Although Fatboy is in love with Mercy, he does not believe that Mercy sees him as more than a friend and may call off the wedding if he tells her. He does not think of the consequences, such as imprisonment. Norwood revealed that Fatboy has known Mercy since they were nine years old and he had feelings for her when EastEnders: E20 started, as he was upset when she got pregnant by someone else. He said that Fatboy would be heartbroken when Mercy leaves.[22] Norwood told Inside Soap that the wedding creates more problems for the characters, rather than solving all their problems. The fact that they try so hard to prove they are genuine makes it "very hard for them to be friends."[23] The wedding episode sees Fatboy have a dream come true, but at the same time it is a nightmare for him. Knowing the wedding is a sham he is "waiting for that monster to appear".[23] Ashley turns up and is annoyed that Fatboy has kept the wedding a secret, and of this, Norwood stated: "When [Ashley] finds out what has happened he is pretty shocked. He tries to make Fatboy see the consequences of his actions, but Fatboy doesn't want to hear it—his dad has already betrayed him when it comes to Mercy." Mercy is shocked to learn that Fatboy did not tell her that Ashley reported her. Although Norwood concluded that Fatboy "will go to the ends of the earth to make this marriage work".[23]
Denise Fox
In October 2012, it was confirmed by Daniel Kilkelly, a reporter for Digital Spy, that a new storyline would see Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Fatboy spend the night together after he rescues her when she gets unwanted attention from a man. Norwood, who plays Fatboy, told Inside Soap, "Right now, I don't think Fatboy is looking for love - but he's happy to be swept off his feet by Denise, who's this hot older woman he never imagined he could be with."Denise is a scorching woman - she's got a dynamite body and a beautiful smile. She's way out of his league, but there is a lot of chemistry between them. I think they'd make a really good couple. That would be cool. Fatboy may be young, but he's got an old soul and he's not just some young boy messing about. There is potential there if Denise could see it, but because of the age thing, I think she might worry that people were saying things about her. Right now, she's just enjoying herself." Norwood added that while the pair's relationship was sexual, a serious future for them could be possible.[24]
Poppy Meadow
In November 2012, Fatboy starts a relationship with his friend
In December 2012, it was announced that Fatboy and Poppy would have a BBC Red Button special episode, after Poppy decides to spend Christmas with Fatboy. The story continues on the Red Button. Bright said, "Poppy spends the day with Fatboy. She is under pressure to go back to her family, but realises she doesn't want that. [She] and Fatboy have a romantic day, but you don't see anything on screen [in the Christmas episode] because it is dominated by the Brannings. There will be an interactive section where viewers can press the red button and see a ten-minute film of how Poppy and Fatboy spent their day."[29]
In January 2013, Norwood told Amy Duncan from Metro that the relationship with Poppy was "needed for Fatboy" as he had so far been unlucky in love and "to find somebody that liked him as much as he liked her has been a great boost for him and it's definitely put an extra spring in his step."[7] He noted a comedy aspect of their relationship, calling it "quite sweet" and "funny".[7] He opined that it would be "excellent" if they were to marry, saying their wedding would be "crazy".[7]
Departure
On 16 October 2015, it was announced Norwood had been axed from EastEnders after nearly six years in the role of Fatboy, after show bosses chose to write the character out.[1] It was revealed that Norwood would be filming his final scenes in the upcoming weeks and producers had chosen to keep details surrounding Fatboy's exit under wraps. A show spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Ricky will be leaving EastEnders. We wish him all the best for the future"[1] whilst a show insider commented: "Ricky is a great guy and very popular on set. He's leaving the show as it's the end of Fatboy's storyline, but everyone wishes him well for the future."[1] Fatboy's last appearance was on 24 December 2015.
On 7 December 2015, the show's executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, said that "Someone will die on Christmas Day that we haven't revealed to anyone, so that will be a surprise."[30] This turned out to be Fatboy, who died off-screen in a case of mistaken identity prior to the episode broadcast on 26 December 2015. This was not well received by fans and many set up petitions to bring the character back.[31]
Other appearances
Fatboy appears in extra content on the official EastEnders: E20 website. In one video, Fatboy gives his top ten tips for surviving life in Albert Square.[32] Another features him recording a video on his mobile phone for Mercy, in which he admits he once thought he would end up in a romantic relationship with her.[33] In other videos, he is filmed on a webcam singing along to the Destiny's Child hit "Bootylicious" and catches Leon posing, threatening to post the video on the Internet.[34][35] In August 2010, an official account on the social networking site Twitter was created for Fatboy, along with three characters from series 2 of EastEnders: E20.[36] Posts on Twitter revealed Fatboy has sold a fake ID to Naz Mehmet (Emaa Hussen) but the photo looked nothing like her and the age was wrong.
Fatboy makes cameo appearances in series 2 of E20,
Fatboy also appears in "
In "
Fatboy also appears in the third episode of the online spin-off
Reception
In April 2010, six main characters were axed from EastEnders by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood. Fatboy was not one of them, but Stuart Heritage from The Guardian felt that he should have been, calling him "A wodge of irritating comic relief [...] who is yet to serve a purpose other than making me genuinely dislike young people. [...] He must go, preferably in a scene where he falls down the world's largest flight of stairs."[44] Heritage later called Fatboy an "obnoxiously two-dimensional dubstep-fixated stock [character] transparently modelled on Jar Jar Binks."[45] A writer for the website Watch With Mothers called the character an asset to EastEnders, expressing pleasure that the show was trying to appeal to younger viewers,[46] while another called him irritating and zany.[47] A writer for The Northern Echo wondered if Fatboy, along with Leon and Zsa Zsa, brought a new injection of life into the soap or took away screen time from more established characters.[48] Grace Dent from The Guardian changed her opinion of Fatboy over time, saying:
Fatboy has won my heart. What began as horrified staring at this huge, bug-eyed child in a fluoro Ed Hardy hoodie, the Venn diagram meeting point of Jar Jar Binks and
Dot Branning and refused a last-minute service wash"). I love how much Fatboy infuriates old-fart viewers with the uncomfortable truth that he's actually quite authentic. [...] Without Fatboy, EastEnders right now is a wholly compelling, yet dark place.[49]
Julie Emery from Heat criticised Fatboy's fashion sense, especially from the episode broadcast on 12 May 2011, saying "We know clashing prints are soooooo this season, but really, Fatboy, they do nothing for you. And while we're at it, stop wearing that tinny 'F' round your neck, for flip's sake. You're not a gangster rapper, and anyway your real name's Arthur."[50] Emery also said the storyline where Fatboy asks Mercy to marry him so she can stay in the country sounded "somewhat familiar", as Coronation Street was featuring a similar storyline at the same time.[50] Amy Duncan from the Metro said Fatboy was one of her favourite young characters in EastEnders and said that, with Poppy, he "bring[s] some much-needed light into the soap".[7] Vicky Prior from the Metro said that Fatboy "is easily one of the best characters in EastEnders, able to interact seamlessly with other characters, both young and old."[51]
Norwood has received four award nominations for his portrayal of Fatboy. In May 2010, he received a nomination in the "Best Soap Newcomer" category at the 14th TVChoice Awards,
Following the character's death, "#Fatboy" trended on social network Twitter; a petition was set up online asking for Treadwell-Collins to revive the character; as of 30 December 2015, the petition received 2,780 signatures.[58]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Daniel Kilkelly (16 October 2015). "EastEnders star Ricky Norwood to leave his role as Fatboy Chubb". Digital Spy.
- ^ Duncan, Amy (17 October 2015). "EastEnders spoilers: Ricky Norwood's exit confirmed as Fatboy is written out of the soap after five years". Metro. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Knight, Lewis (29 August 2023). "EastEnders airs twist unannounced return in early BBC iPlayer release". Radio Times.
- ^ a b "Eastenders E20: How to Make Your Own Online Drama - Part 2: The Cast and Script - BBC" (video). BBC. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
- ^ Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ "EastEnders: Ricky Norwood extends his contract putting Fatboy back in the frame". Daily Star. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ a b c Garvan, Sinead (8 January 2010). "E20 'is bringing street to Albert Square'". Newsbeat. BBC Online. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ a b c "Ricky Norwood hits the Spotlight". Walford Web. 21 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- ^ "EastEnders: E20 – interview with Ricky Norwood" (Press release). BBC Press Office. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ Barker, Charlie (13 January 2010). "Steal Fatboy's Ed Hardy style as seen on EastEnders spin-off E20". The Online Fashion Agency. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Fatboy played by Ricky Norwood". BBC Online. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
- IPC Media. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
- ^ a b c Ellis, Sarah (28 May – 3 June 2011). "Mercy's shock wedding". Inside Soap (21): 14, 15.
- Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
- Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (13 November 2012). "'EastEnders': Poppy and Fatboy grow closer - spoiler pictures". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ Brown, David (13 November 2012). "EastEnders spoilers: Joey and Lauren's car crash, Cora meets her daughter Ava, Poppy and Fatboy kiss". Radio Times. Exponent. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- ^ Miller, Adam (7 December 2015). "EastEnders - A mystery character will be killed off on Christmas Day". Daily Express. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ Agius, Nicola (28 December 2015). "Ricky Norwood wowed by EastEnders petition to bring him back - but it won't help". mirror. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ "Found on... Fatboy's camera" (video). BBC Online. January 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Found on... Fatboy's phone" (video). BBC Online. January 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Found on... Fatboy's webcam" (video). BBC Online. January 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Found on... Fatboy's webcam". BBC Online. January 2010. Archived from the original (video) on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Character tweets". BBC Online. August 2010. Archived from the original on 17 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ Rob (23 June 2011). "E20 series 3: First behind-the-scenes pics". EastEnders. United Kingdom: BBC Online. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ Director: Tim Mercier; Executive Producer: Lorraine Newman; Writer: Carey Andrews (27 December 2012). "All I Want for Christmas". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Brown, David (26 June 2013). "EastEnders: Tamwar Masood in new online spin-off". Radio Times. Immediate Media. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
- Tamwar Tales – The Life of an Assistant Market Inspector. Episode 3. 8 August 2013. BBC Online. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ "BBC One – EastEnders, Harlem Shake: EastEnders style" (video). EastEnders. BBC Online. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ Heritage, Stuart (19 April 2010). "EastEnders: six characters to get the chop. But are they the right ones?". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ Heritage, Stuart (28 September 2010). "Inside Soap Awards: glitzy night celebrates TV's grittiest shows". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
- ^ "EastEnders Update: Masood Distraction". Watch With Mothers. Epic Win Media. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "E20". Watch With Mothers. Epic Win Media. 11 January 2010. Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "A kind of living". The Northern Echo. Darlington: Newsquest. 7 May 2010. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ Dent, Grace (22 May 2010). "Grace Dent's World of Lather". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ ISSN 1465-6264.
- Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
- ^ "Vote online in the TVQuick and TVChoice Awards!". BBC Online. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Archived from the originalon 17 October 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- ^ "EastEnders crowned at soap awards". BBC News. BBC Online. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
- ^ "NTA 2011: National Television Awards results". Beehive City. Honeycomb Publishing & Media. 26 January 2011. Archived from the original on 29 January 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- ^ "The British Soap Awards 2011: Nominations". ITV Press Centre. ITV. 2 May 2011. Archived from the original on 6 May 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- ^ Duncan, Amy (30 December 2015). "EastEnders fan's petition to bring Fatboy back from dead has 2,500 signatures". Metro. Retrieved 3 January 2016.