EastEnders legend Sid Owen to make dramatic return to soap as Ricky Butcher after 10 years away

SID Owen is making a dramatic comeback as EastEnders’ Ricky Butcher, we can reveal.

The actor, 50, returns full-time as the loveable mechanic after ten years.

He will begin filming next month with Charlie Brooks, who plays on-screen sister Janine, and ex wife Sam Mitchell, played by Kim Medcalf.

A source said: “Bosses have an exciting storyline planned for his return, involving lots of key players.

“Ricky is an iconic character from Albert Square’s early days, and has been hugely popular over the decades. He has lots of unfinished business.

“The sky’s the limit for script writers. An autumn of bumper storylines is on the cards.”

Ricky, first played by Sid in 1988, is the son of Frank Butcher and stepson of Pat.

He wed three times including twice to Bianca Jackson, famed for shouting “Rickaaay” at him.

Viewers last saw him leaving Walford for Germany in 2012.

Bosses on the BBC1 soap hope Sid can fill the void after Danny Dyer (Mick Carter) leaves in an explosive storyline later this year.

Ratings dropped to their lowest in the show’s history in June, with 1.38million tuning in.

At the soap’s height 30million saw its 1986 Christmas special.

The source added: “Producers want to return the soap to its former glory so the strategy is bring back some of the veterans, fan favourites and drama.

“Over the years there’s been a bit of a bloodbath of main roles so bosses have had to work out which characters are still alive and who can realistically return. Ricky fits the bill.”

Earlier this year Sid became a dad for the first time when fiancée Victoria Shores, 42, gave birth to their daughter Skye.

He spoke about a possible soap return last year, saying: “Hopefully if the door’s still open — never say never. It’s a huge part of my life, and people love the character.”