EastEnders fans stunned as show legend now flogs ‘miracle mould’ product in Instagram adverts
FORMER EastEnders star Ricky Groves who played Garry Hobbs in the BBC soap has shocked fans by selling mould cleaner on Instagram.
The actor, 56, can be seen in the adverts peddling a product to tackle mould, 15 years after exiting Albert Square.
Ricky explains in the advert: “You want to get rid of unsightly mould forever? You’re going to need Mould Magic Extreme. Let me explain.
“It has a special gel patented formula that actually sticks to the tiles and the grout. Now, don’t believe me…
“Look at this… bathroom, mould after. Mould’s gone. Look at that. The wallpaper. Mould, mould. Look at that washing machine. Save you hundreds of pounds on repairs.
“Finally, look at the windows. Mould Magic has done the trick. Now, you get two in a pack, so click on the order link today and it’s delivered to you within two working days.”
Fans commented: “Gary!” A second noted: “Someone’s career has hit rock bottom.” A third added: “A man’s gotta eat.” Another user inquired: “Bro….weren’t you in EastEnders?!”
The former Splash! reality TV star recently reunited with EastEnders co-star Jamie Borthwick, 30, who is competing in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The actor, who is partnered with professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas, captioned their photo together: “Legend.”
Ricky’s hapless character Garry arrived in Walford in 2000 as Lynne Slater’s (Elaine Lordan) former husband and stayed for nine years as part of the eclectic family.
His dramatic plots included heartbreaking child loss and a near-fatal suicide attempt, but he finally got his happy ending and sailed off into the sunset — and up the river — with Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon).
Ricky took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 and was partnered with professional dancer Erin Boag, but failed to nab the Glitterball and was voted off in the second week.
Since leaving the BBC soap, the former TV mechanic has starred in panto, on Celebrity Coach Trip with friend and former EastEnders villain Alex Ferns who played Trevor Morgan.
In 2011 he appeared in an episode of Holby City and participated in Celebrity MasterChef the same year.
Ricky previously said that he would love to return to Walford and had conjured up his own comeback storyline.
He told Inside Soap: “I always had this idea that Garry would return and pretend he’s won the lottery – but all he’s won is 50 grand on a scratch card and now he’s blown it.
“So he turns up in a Mercedes to prove he’s done all right, but then truth comes out and he crumbles.
“Hopefully he’d still be with Dawn though. It was a privilege to do a job like EastEnders, and I’d love to go back. If they wanted to reintroduce Garry, then I’d be there.”
Groves dated EastEnders co-star Hannah Waterman, who played Laura Beale, for six years before tying the knot in September 2006, but they split three years later.
He said about the heartbreaking divorce: “It took me a long, long time to get over what happened. It was the lowest I’ve ever been.
“It was the clinical way it was done. I wish she had let me down gently but I suppose there is no easy way to leave someone.
“Our break-up hit me hard because I took my vows very seriously. My parents celebrated their golden anniversary and I always saw marriage as being for life. But as Mum said to me, ‘You had ten good years’ and that’s how I see it too.”