Richard Blackwood: Career, EastEnders, and Current Projects

There aren’t many entertainers who’ve gone from hosting MTV to playing a gangster in Walford, but Richard Blackwood has done exactly that — and a lot more besides. Born in Clapham, London in 1972, he built a career as a comedian, rapper, and presenter before stepping into Albert Square as Vincent Hubbard.

Born: 15 May 1972 · Birthplace: Clapham, London, England · Profession: Comedian, actor, presenter, rapper · Notable role: Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders (2015–2018)

Eight key facts about Richard Blackwood, drawn from his public biography:

What does Richard Blackwood do now?

Current projects

• He continues to perform live comedy, including regular appearances at the Top Secret Comedy Club in Covent Garden (Top Secret Comedy Club).
• He hosts a radio show and maintains an active social media presence, with over 264,000 Instagram followers.
• Two film projects — Floverr and Clause and Effect — are listed as in post-production on his IMDb page (IMDb).

Recent TV and film appearances

• 2025: Guest role as Nick in The Madame Blanc Mysteries (IMDb).
• 2022: Role in the sci-fi thriller Deus (IMDb).
• 2021: Played Reggie in the CBBC series The Dumping Ground (IMDb).
• 2019: Guest appearance on Death in Paradise as Carlton Smith (IMDb).

Live comedy and radio work

• He is a regular performer on the UK comedy circuit, appearing at clubs such as The Stand and Top Secret Comedy Club (Top Secret Comedy Club).
• He has been a guest on BBC Radio London and other local stations, discussing his career and upcoming gigs.

The takeaway: Richard Blackwood remains active across multiple media, balancing live performance with screen work. His upcoming films suggest he’s invested in expanding his acting portfolio beyond television.

Is Richard Blackwood coming back to EastEnders?

Status of Vincent Hubbard character

• Vincent Hubbard was last seen on 20 April 2018, when the character disappeared after a confrontation with Phil Mitchell (Wikipedia).
• The character’s fate was left deliberately open — Vincent’s car was found abandoned, but no body was shown, leaving room for a potential return.

Producer statements

• BBC EastEnders producers have not officially commented on a possible return since Blackwood’s departure.
• In interviews, Blackwood has said he is open to reprising the role “if the storyline is right” (paraphrased from YouTube interview, 2026).

Fan speculation

• Fans frequently discuss a Vincent Hubbard comeback on forums like Digital Spy and Reddit, but no credible evidence supports an imminent return.
• The show has a history of resurrecting presumed-dead characters, which keeps speculation alive.

The implication: Without a formal announcement, the possibility of Vincent Hubbard’s return remains a recurring topic of fan discussion rather than a concrete plan.

Why did Richard Blackwood leave EastEnders?

Storyline reasons

• Vincent Hubbard’s disappearance was written as part of a dramatic arc involving the Mitchell family and his wife Kim Fox-Hubbard.
• The character’s exit left the door open for a possible comeback, in line with soap opera conventions.

Contract decisions

• Blackwood’s three-year contract ended in 2018, and he chose not to renew, according to reports (British Comedy Guide).
• He later stated that he felt it was “the right time to move on” to other projects.

The pattern: Blackwood’s career moves consistently favor variety and creative challenge over long-term commitments to single projects.

What is Richard Blackwood’s nationality?

Birthplace

• Richard Clifford Blackwood was born on 15 May 1972 in Clapham, London, England (Wikipedia).

Ethnic background

• His parents are of Jamaican descent, making him part of the British Afro-Caribbean community.

National identity

• He identifies as British and has spent his entire career working in the UK entertainment industry.
• He holds British nationality by birth.

The catch: While he is British by birth and identity, his Jamaican heritage informs his cultural background, though he rarely discusses it publicly.

What are Richard Blackwood’s movies and TV shows?

Filmography highlights

• Deus (2022) – sci-fi thriller (IMDb)
• Outside Bet (2012) – comedy-drama (IMDb)
• Anuvahood (2011) – comedy (Top Secret Comedy Club)
• Don’t Stop Dreaming (2007) – Bollywood film (Wikipedia)

Television roles

• EastEnders (2015–2018) – Vincent Hubbard (Wikipedia)
• Hollyoaks (2020–2024) – Felix Westwood (IMDb)
• Death in Paradise (2019) – Carlton Smith (IMDb)
• The Dumping Ground (2021) – Reggie (IMDb)
• Celebrity Coach Trip (2013) – contestant (Channel 4)

Music career

• Blackwood started as a rapper and released the single “Mama Who Da Man” in the 1990s (British Comedy Guide).
• He also presented The Richard Blackwood Show on MTV UK (MTV).

The range of his work — from MTV to EastEnders to independent films — shows an artist who has deliberately avoided being typecast. His versatility across genres and formats is arguably his strongest professional asset.

Timeline

• 1972 – Born in Clapham, London (Wikipedia)
• 1990s – Began career as rapper and comedian; became MTV UK presenter (Wikipedia)
• 2007 – Appeared in Bollywood film Don’t Stop Dreaming (Wikipedia)
• 2011 – Starred in Anuvahood (Top Secret Comedy Club)
• 2015–2018 – Played Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders
• 2020–2024 – Portrayed Felix Westwood in Hollyoaks (IMDb)
• 2022 – Appeared in the film Deus
• 2025 – Guest role in The Madame Blanc Mysteries

What’s known and what’s still unclear

Quotes and perspectives

“I’ve got two films coming out, so I’m keeping busy.”

Richard Blackwood, in a 2026 YouTube interview (YouTube)

Blackwood is “one of the UK’s most versatile comedians,” able to move from stand-up to soap to serious drama with ease.

British Comedy Guide, listing his achievements (British Comedy Guide)

The pattern: Blackwood’s own words confirm he’s prioritising new film projects, while critics acknowledge his range across genres.

Fans interested in his latest work can explore Richard Blackwoods recent activities for updates on his career and potential return to Albert Square.

Frequently asked questions

For British comedy fans, the choice is clear: keep an eye on his live dates and upcoming film releases, or risk missing the next chapter of a career that refuses to stay in one lane.

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