Sid Owen to take a break from EastEnders

It’s been revealed that Sid Owen is to take a break from playing Ricky Butcher on BBC One soap EastEnders.

Sid Owen is to take a break from BBC One soap EastEnders to concentrate on charity work. The Mirror reports that actor has handed in his notice to bosses on the BBC soap. His decision to temporarily bow out of the soap reflects that of co-star Patsy Palmer who is currently out of EastEnders on maternity leave.

According to Digital Spy the actor will bow out of EastEnders later this year but will return in 2012 when Patsy Palmer also returns to the soap. Sid Owen has left the soap several times before. He originally left Albert Square in 2000 after 12 years on the soap – his exit came weeks after the on-screen exit of Patsy Palmer as Bianca. Owen returned to the soap in 2002 but remained only for two years before exiting again in 2004.

His return in 2008 was for the funeral of Ricky’s father Frank Butcher (played by the late Mike Reid). EastEnders has signed up both Patsy Palmer and Sid Owen to reprise their roles for long stints. While Charlie Brooks initially returned, as Janine, for just one week – for the funeral – the actress later returned on a full time basis.