Richard Blackwood is one of the few entertainers who have scored a Top 3 single, presented on MTV, played a soap villain, and still pack comedy clubs two decades later. The 52-year-old British performer, best known as Vincent Hubbard on EastEnders, has quietly rebuilt his career around live stand-up and DJ work.

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Born: 15 May 1972 ·
Occupation: Comedian, actor, presenter, rapper ·
Known for: Vincent Hubbard in EastEnders (2015–2018) ·
Current activities: Comedy shows and DJ sets ·
Instagram followers: 264K

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether he will return to EastEnders — his character’s death was left ambiguous
  • Exact net worth — no verified figure has been published
  • Details about his current partner and relationship status
  • Whether he has any siblings — not documented in public sources
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Eight key facts about Richard Blackwood, drawn from verified sources:

Label Value
Born 15 May 1972
Birthplace Clapham, London, England
Occupation Comedian, actor, presenter, rapper
Years active 1990s–present
Known role Vincent Hubbard (EastEnders 2015–2018)
Notable work MTV presenter, The Richard Blackwood Show
Instagram @richardblackwood (264K followers)
Website richardblackwood.co.uk

What does Richard Blackwood do now?

Current comedy and DJ performances

  • Performs stand-up comedy and DJ sets at venues across the UK
  • Headlined at Aviva Studios in Manchester in 2024, a venue run by Factory International (Factory International event page)
  • Promoted as a “comedian, actor and presenter known for EastEnders and Hollyoaks” for live events
  • Also appears at comedy clubs such as the Top Secret Comedy Club in London (Top Secret Comedy Club profile)

The shift from screen to stage is not a retirement — it is a deliberate return to the live performing roots that launched his career in the 1990s. Blackwood now works a circuit that values audience interaction and improvisation, a skill set that differs from scripted television work.

Social media presence

  • Active on Instagram with 264,000 followers (@richardblackwood)
  • Posts blend comedy clips, DJ snippets, and personal updates
  • A 2024 Instagram post included the caption: “Training for the Role that is about to come! Stay Inspired people!” (Instagram post, August 2024)
  • Operates a personal website at richardblackwood.co.uk for bookings and enquiries
The upshot

Blackwood is not fading out of the entertainment industry — he is pivoting toward the live circuit, where control over material and schedule sits with him, not a production company. For an artist who started in stand-up thirty years ago, this represents a return to first principles rather than a step back.

This shift underscores his deliberate return to live performance roots.

What is Richard Blackwood famous for?

TV and film roles

  • Best known for playing Vincent Hubbard on EastEnders (2015–2018) (Wikipedia)
  • Played Felix Westwood on Hollyoaks beginning in 2020 (Wikipedia)
  • Appeared in films including Deus and Outside Bet (IMDb filmography)
  • Early TV appearances on The Real McCoy and Blouse and Skirt in the 1990s (Top Secret Comedy Club profile)

MTV and radio hosting

  • Became a presenter on MTV Select in 1996 alongside June Sarpong (Top Secret Comedy Club)
  • Secured his own weekly show on Channel 4 in 1999 (Top Secret Comedy Club)
  • Presenting credits include Club Class, Tags, The Base, Singled Out, and the Smash Hits Awards (BroadwayWorld credits)
  • BBC News described him in 2001 as “a comedian, pop star, presenter, radio DJ and award show presenter” (BBC News archive)

Music career as a rapper

  • Released debut album You’ll Love To Hate This in 2000 (Top Secret Comedy Club)
  • Single “Mama (Who Da Man)” reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart (Atlantic Speaker Bureau biography)
  • Blends rap and comedy in his musical style, a crossover that was unusual for British comedians at the time
The trade-off

Blackwood has built a career across four distinct entertainment lanes — stand-up, TV presenting, soap acting, and music — but that breadth may have cost him the deep recognition that comes from staying in one lane. Audiences know him differently depending on when they first encountered him, which makes his brand harder to sum up in a single headline.

His broad career has given him a diverse audience but diluted a single defining label.

Why did Richard Blackwood leave EastEnders?

Character Vincent Hubbard’s fate

  • Blackwood left EastEnders in 2018 (Wikipedia)
  • His character Vincent Hubbard was written out in a storyline that left him missing and presumed dead
  • The ambiguity of the exit — no body, no confirmed death — keeps the door open for a potential return

Behind-the-scenes circumstances

  • No official reason for his departure was confirmed by Blackwood or the BBC
  • The exit appears to have been a storyline decision rather than a public dispute or personal issue
  • Soap exits are often driven by contract cycles and creative direction, and Blackwood’s departure followed a typical pattern for a character arc that had run its course

The implication: Vincent Hubbard’s disappearance was a narrative device, not a reflection of Blackwood’s performance or standing with the show.

Is Richard Blackwood coming back to EastEnders?

Recent hints and rumors

  • Fans frequently speculate about a return, especially given the ambiguous nature of Vincent’s exit
  • Blackwood’s 2024 Instagram post about “training for the role that is about to come” sparked speculation (Instagram post, 2024)
  • No concrete evidence ties that post to EastEnders specifically

Official statements

  • No official announcement from the BBC or from Blackwood’s representatives regarding a return
  • Soap operas often keep return storylines under embargo until contracts are signed, so absence of news does not rule out a future appearance

Why this matters: For fans of Vincent Hubbard, the lack of a definitive on-screen death means the character remains in play. But without a confirmed deal or even a public hint from the production team, any return remains in the realm of speculation.

What is Richard Blackwood’s personal life like?

Partner and children

  • Blackwood has a partner, though her name has not been widely publicized
  • He has a son, but few details about his family life are shared publicly
  • He keeps his personal relationships largely private, a choice that limits media coverage but also protects his family from public scrutiny

Net worth

  • No verified net worth figure has been published by credible sources
  • Online estimates vary widely and are not grounded in audited financial data
  • His income streams include live performances, past TV salaries, and possible residuals from music and broadcasting

Connection to Naomi Campbell

  • Blackwood briefly dated supermodel Naomi Campbell in the 1990s
  • The relationship was a brief tabloid item during his early fame but has not been a focus of his public narrative since
The catch

Blackwood’s personal life is the least documented part of his public profile. For a journalist or fan seeking a complete picture, the gaps around his partner, son, and finances are significant — and unlikely to be filled unless Blackwood chooses to share more.

The gaps in public knowledge about his personal life remain significant.

Career timeline

  • 1972: Richard Clifford Blackwood born in Clapham, London (IMDb)
  • 1993: First stand-up show at The Spot, Covent Garden (Top Secret Comedy Club)
  • 1996: Becomes a presenter on MTV Select (Top Secret Comedy Club)
  • 1999: Secures his own weekly show on Channel 4 (Top Secret Comedy Club)
  • 2000: Releases debut album You’ll Love To Hate This (Top Secret Comedy Club)
  • 2000: Single “Mama (Who Da Man)” peaks at No. 3 in UK charts (Atlantic Speaker Bureau)
  • 2015: Joins EastEnders as Vincent Hubbard (Wikipedia)
  • 2018: Leaves EastEnders; character Vincent disappears
  • 2020: Begins role as Felix Westwood on Hollyoaks (Wikipedia)
  • 2024: Performs comedy and DJ sets at Aviva Studios, Manchester (Factory International)

This timeline shows the trajectory from early stand-up to soap star and back to live performance.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Born Richard Clifford Blackwood on 15 May 1972 in Clapham, London (IMDb)
  • British comedian, actor, presenter, and rapper (Wikipedia)
  • Played Vincent Hubbard on EastEnders from 2015 to 2018 (Wikipedia)
  • Performs live comedy and DJ sets in 2024 (Factory International)
  • Single “Mama (Who Da Man)” reached No. 3 in the UK charts (Atlantic Speaker Bureau)
  • Presented on MTV and had a Channel 4 show (Top Secret Comedy Club)

Unclear or unconfirmed

  • Whether he will return to EastEnders — no official announcement
  • Exact net worth — no verified figure available
  • Details about his current partner and family life
  • What specific role prompted his 2024 “training” Instagram post

The distinction between confirmed and uncertain helps readers gauge what is reliably known about Blackwood.

In his own words and through the press

“Richard Clifford Blackwood (born 15 May 1972) is a British comedian, actor, presenter, and rapper.”

— Wikipedia biography

“A comedian, pop star, presenter, radio DJ and award show presenter.”

— BBC News profile (2001)

“Information and Enquiries at richardblackwood.co.uk”

— Richard Blackwood, Instagram bio

“Training for the Role that is about to come! Stay Inspired people!”

— Richard Blackwood, Instagram post (August 2024)

These quotes illustrate how Blackwood has been described across different phases of his career.

Where his career stands now

Richard Blackwood is not a former TV star coasting on past credits. He is an active live performer who has chosen the comedy and DJ circuit over the steady churn of soap opera production. For fans who remember him from MTV or EastEnders, the current chapter may look quieter — but it is also the most self-directed phase of his career. For venues booking live entertainment in the UK, the takeaway is clear: Blackwood brings a recognizable name, three decades of stage instincts, and a cross-generational audience that spans from 1990s MTV viewers to 2010s soap fans.

Additional sources

nmplive.co.uk, facebook.com, instagram.com, youtube.com, canadaledger.co

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Richard Blackwood?

He was born on 15 May 1972, making him 52 years old as of 2024.

What is Richard Blackwood’s real name?

His full birth name is Richard Clifford Blackwood.

Is Richard Blackwood married?

He has a partner, but her name has not been widely publicized, and there is no confirmed information about a marriage.

What is Richard Blackwood’s most famous comedy show?

He is known for his early stand-up work in the 1990s and his own Channel 4 series, The Richard Blackwood Show, which aired in 1999.

Does Richard Blackwood have any siblings?

Information about siblings is not widely documented in publicly available sources.

What other TV shows has Richard Blackwood appeared in besides EastEnders?

He played Felix Westwood on Hollyoaks starting in 2020, appeared on The Real McCoy and Blouse and Skirt in the 1990s, and presented multiple MTV and Channel 4 shows. (Wikipedia)

Where does Richard Blackwood currently perform comedy?

He performs at venues across the UK, including Aviva Studios in Manchester and comedy clubs such as the Top Secret Comedy Club in London. (Factory International)

What was Richard Blackwood’s connection to Naomi Campbell?

He briefly dated the supermodel in the 1990s during his early rise to fame.

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