Ricky Whittle
Ricky Whittle | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard James Whittle |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Partner | Carley Stenson (2006-2009) |
| Parent | Harry |
| Website | http://www.rickywhittle.com/ |
Ricky Whittle (born 23 November 1981) is a British actor from Oldham, Greater Manchester.[1]
Biography
The son of former Royal Air Force serviceman Harry Whittle, Whittle grew up travelling with his father's career around the world, with a home base at Burghfield Common near Reading, Berkshire [2].
A keen sportsman, Whittle represented England and the United Kingdom at youth level in football, rugby, American football and athletics. After having been watched by Arsenal and Celtic, an injury brought about the pursuit of a degree in criminology at the University of Southampton.
Career
At university, Whittle began modelling, becoming the face of a Reebok campaign in 2000. This brought him to the attention of casting agents for Sky One's Dream Team. Cast as Ryan Naysmith, Whittle left university to pursue an acting career. Carrying on with his sports ambitions, in the third series Whittle broke his leg in seven places, and was forced into a long hospital stay. The writers wrote a broken leg into the Dreamteam script, allowing Whittle a slower recuperation.
After playing his first gay character as a guest star on BBC One's Holby City, Whittle played Calvin Valentine in the popular Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, up until his character was axed from the show in May 2010
In January 2008, Ricky appeared on a celebrity edition of The Weakest Link, reaching the final, but losing out to Crimewatch UK star, Rav Wilding.
Strictly Come Dancing
In August 2009, Whittle was announced as a contestant on the BBC One reality television series Strictly Come Dancing, paired with Australian professional dancer Natalie Lowe.[3] A fellow contestant on the programme, Ali Bastian, also starred with him in Hollyoaks. Whittle made it through to the final of the competition (beating Rav Wilding, to whom he had lost The Weakest Link in 2008), and competed against television presenter Chris Hollins and his dance partner Ola Jordan for the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball trophy. However, he lost the battle and ended up second, despite winning the judges' scores 190-186.
Personal life
From October 2007 Whittle was romantically involved with fellow Hollyoaks actress Carley Stenson, who plays Steph Cunningham [4], residing in Billinge Higher End, Wigan[5].
Having recovered from his broken leg, Whittle spends his spare time playing running back for the Manchester Titans American Football team.[6]
At 5.30 a.m. on 27 November 2009 Whittle was arrested by Merseyside Police on suspicion of assault, after turning himself in at St Helens Police Station. The car Whittle had been driving in the early hours of that morning had collided with papparazzi on Duke Street in Liverpool's City Centre. Whittle was released on bail, after police questioning, later that day. The charges of assault were later dropped and replaced with a charge of dangerous driving. Whittle has since instructed lawyers to take action against the papparazzi who made the initial allegations of assault.[7]
References
- ^ "Soap star Ricky on way to Oldham", Oldham Evening Chronicle, p. 9, 2008-09-09
- ^ http://www.rickywhittle.com/biography.html
- ^ Full Strictly Come Dancing 2009 Line-up
- ^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/1681661/Ricky-Whittle-says-hed-love-to-marry-girlfriend-Carley-Stenson-one-day.html
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.flagontheplay.co.uk/british_american_football_news_2.php
- ^ Strictly Come Dancing: Show in crisis as favourite Ricky Whittle is held over assault at dailymail.co.uk
Married to his love of his life Meghan O'donnell x