February 12th 2025.
The much-loved characters of EastEnders have finally made their long-awaited return! Fans of the BBC One soap will be delighted to see Ricky Groves and Cliff Parisi reprising their roles as best friends Garry Hobbs and Minty Peterson in tonight's episode. For those who have already caught the episode on BBC iPlayer, you'll know that the two have come back to Walford to celebrate Billy Mitchell and Honey's stag do.
It's been quite some time since we've seen these beloved residents on our screens, with Garry and Minty last appearing in 2009 and 2010 respectively. As we welcome them back, let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit their lives in Albert Square.
Garry and Minty quickly became the best of friends when they first met. But who exactly is Garry Hobbs? Well, Ricky Groves portrayed the character from 2000 to 2009, and during his time on the show, he was married to Lynne Slater. However, their relationship crumbled when it was revealed that Garry may have fathered Laura's baby, Bobby. When Bobby needed a blood transfusion, Laura discovered Ian was actually the father, causing even more drama for Garry.
In 2009, Garry bid farewell to Walford, leaving with his new partner Dawn Swann and her daughter Summer. The three sailed away together after Dawn confessed her love for Garry and ended her affair with Phil Mitchell.
So, what has Ricky Groves been up to since leaving EastEnders? Well, he lent his voice to a character named Markus in a Doctor Who podcast series, and has also appeared in the series Crime Stories and Going Forward.
As for Minty Peterson, Cliff Parisi played the character from 2002 to 2010. He was first introduced as Janine and Laura's landlord but then moved in with Garry and quickly became his trusted friend. In 2008, Minty and Heather Trott tied the knot, but their marriage was short-lived as Heather caught him kissing another woman. Minty left Walford in 2010, wanting to start a new life, leaving Heather behind. Unfortunately, two years later, Heather was tragically murdered by Phil's son Ben Mitchell.
Since his departure from EastEnders, Cliff has appeared in a variety of comedies and dramas, including Outnumbered, The Good Ship Murder, and Shakespeare & Hathaway. He is also well-known for his role as Fred Buckle in BBC One's Call the Midwife, where he plays a handyman and is married to Violet.
It's great to have Garry and Minty back in Albert Square, and we can't wait to see what they've been up to since leaving Walford. Let's hope their return brings some much-needed joy to the residents of the square.
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