Ben Richards (actor)

Richards began dancing aged seven and later attended the dance college Laine Theatre Arts. He later began appearing in a number of theatre productions in London's West End. He appeared in supporting roles in the productions of Radio Times, Up on the Roof, Hot Mikado and Smokey Joe's Cafe. In 1993, he was playing Terry Johnson in Grease, with music direction by Mike Dixon.{{cite journal|last=Galpin|first=Richard|title=Those summer niiiiiiiiiights|journal=BIG!|date=30 June – 13 July 1993|issue=26|pages=15–16|publisher=EMAP}} In 1998, he secured his first lead role playing Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever. He later returned to the West End production of Grease, this time playing the lead character Danny Zuko. Richards made his film debut in the 1997 movie Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis and in 1999 secured a role in Julie and the Cadillacs. Guest roles followed in the BBC television series' Doctors and Holby City. In 2002 he played Jerry in The Full Monty and, in the following year, played the Dentist in the Little Shop of Horrors.{{cite web|title=The Judges – Ben Richards|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/about/ben.shtml|work=BBC Online|publisher=(BBC)|accessdate=7 February 2012}}

In 2004, Richards joined the cast of ITV's Footballers' Wives in the role of Bruno Milligan.{{cite web|last=Green|first=Kris|title=Footballers' Wives gets new signing|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a14733/footballers-wives-gets-new-signing.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=(Hachette Filipacchi UK)|accessdate=7 February 2012|date=16 June 2004}} He also appeared in the ITV2 spin-off Footballers' Wives: Extra Time. In early 2006, it was announced that Richards had joined the cast of Holby City playing a new character, Justin Fuller,{{cite web|last=Wilkes|first=Neil|title='Footballers' Wives' star checks into 'Holby'|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/news/a28725/footballers-wives-star-checks-into-holby.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=(Hachette Filipacchi UK)|accessdate=7 February 2012|date=3 February 2006}} remaining in the series for four months. Richards then played Sky Masterson in the UK tour of Guys and Dolls in 2006.{{cite web|title=Claire Sweeney talks about starring in Guys and Dolls|url=http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/tm_objectid=17445755&method=full&siteid=50100&headline=claire-sweeney-talks-about-starring-in-guys-and-dolls-name_page.html|work=Uxbridge Gazette|publisher=(Trinity Mirror)|accessdate=7 February 2012|date=27 July 2006}} That year Richards became a judge on the second series of Strictly Dance Fever.

In 2007, he began playing the role of Nate Roberts in police drama The Bill.{{cite web|last=Green|first=Kris|title=Ex-'Footballers' Wives' actor transfers to 'The Bill'|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s20/the-bill/news/a66464/ex-footballers-wives-actor-transfers-to-the-bill.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=(Hachette Filipacchi UK)|accessdate=7 February 2012|date=18 July 2007}} He also appeared as Nate for an episode of the German series Leipzig Homicide.{{cite web|title=Nate learns a lesson in life|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Nate+learns+a+lesson+in+life.-a0197394223|work=The Journal|publisher=(Trinity Mirror)|accessdate=8 February 2012|date=8 April 2009}} The character of Nate became popular and the producers signed Richards to a new one-year contract. However, Richards told Laura Davidson of the Sunday Mail that he still wanted to pursue his career in musical theatre.{{cite web|last=Davidson|first=Laura|title=The Bill star Ben Richards has a tough time as playground policeman|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/2009/04/12/the-bill-star-ben-richards-has-a-tough-time-as-playground-policeman-78057-21273598/|work=Sunday Mail|publisher=(Trinity Mirror)|accessdate=8 February 2012|date=12 April 2009}} In 2010, Richards decided to leave The Bill before it was axed by ITV. He then took over Jason Donovan's role of Tick in the West End production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

In 2011, Richards signed up to appear in a production of Peter Pan playing the role of Captain Hook, which premiered at the Grand Canal Theatre.{{cite web|title=Ben Richards Interview|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0626/benrichardsinterview.html|work=RTÉ.ie|publisher=(Raidió Teilifís Éireann)|accessdate=7 February 2012|date=26 June 2011}} In an interview with RTE, Richards revealed that he had previously auditioned for roles in Coronation Street but was unsuccessful because of his southern accent.

In March 2012, while battling illness, Richards returned to his home town of Bognor Regis to perform his own show titled An Evening with Ben Richards. He told a reporter from the Bognor Regis Observer that the show was a one-off to see how it would be received.{{cite web|title=Ben Richards to return to Bognor Regis for one-off show|url=http://www.bognor.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/ben-richards-to-return-to-bognor-regis-for-one-off-show-1-3617116|work=Bognor Regis Observer|publisher=(Johnston Press)|accessdate=1 April 2012|date=14 March 2012}}

In June 2012, it was announced that Richards would be playing the part of Franklin Hart, Jr. in the first UK tour production of the Broadway musical, 9 to 5. The tour began at the Manchester Opera House on 12 October 2012.{{cite web|title=Cast: Bonnie Langford clocks in for 9 to 5: The Musical|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831340967966/Cast:+Bonnie+Langford+clocks+in+for+9+to+5:+the+Musical.html |work=Whatsonstage|publisher= |accessdate=29 June 2012|date=29 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701112339/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831340967966/Cast%3A+Bonnie+Langford+clocks+in+for+9+to+5%3A+the+Musical.html|archive-date=1 July 2012|url-status=dead}} Richards continued to tour the show through 2013.{{cite web|title=9 to 5 actor Ben Richards is backing Snowman Ball event at Hilton Metropole|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10632312.9_to_5_actor__Ben_Richards_is_backing_Snowman_Ball_event_at_Hilton_Metropole/|work=Telegraph & Argus|publisher=(Newsquest)|accessdate=20 September 2013|date=26 August 2013}} In April 2015, it was announced that he had joined the cast of the soap opera Hollyoaks, playing the role of sergeant Ben Bradley.{{cite web|last1=Kilkelly|first1=Daniel|title=Hollyoaks casts Ben Richards as new police sergeant Ben Bradley|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a642797/hollyoaks-casts-ben-richards-as-new-police-sergeant-ben-bradley.html#~pbgeTmXlIKKJ33|website=Digital Spy|publisher=(Hearst Magazines UK)|accessdate=29 April 2015|date=20 April 2015}} He also had an additional guest role in Doctors playing Mr Kit.{{cite web|last1=Dainty|first1=Sophie|last2=Kilkelly|first2=Daniel|title=Corrie revenge, EastEnders newbie, Emmerdale mistake, Hollyoaks danger|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a647593/corrie-revenge-eastenders-newbie-emmerdale-mistake-hollyoaks-danger.html#~pdlf4vUojT175V|website=Digital Spy|publisher=(Hearst Magazines UK)|accessdate=21 May 2015|date=17 May 2015}} He played a lead role in the 2015 film Monsoon Tide, playing Charles Messenger.{{cite web |title=Ben Richards |url=http://www.laidbackfilms.com/monsoon-tide/monsoon-tide-cast-ben-richards.html |publisher=Laidback Films |accessdate=11 January 2019}}

In March 2016, it was announced that Richards would be playing Frank Farmer alongside Beverley Knight in the West End revival of The Bodyguard.{{cite web | url=https://www.bestoftheatre.co.uk/blog/post/bodyguard-casting-update | title=Casting update for the West End Production of The Bodyguard | publisher= | work=bestoftheatre.co.uk | date=11 March 2016 | accessdate=14 March 2016}} He later announced that he had filmed his final scenes on Hollyoaks.{{cite web|last1=Kilkelly|first1=Daniel|title=Hollyoaks star Ben Richards is leaving the show: 'It looks like an unhappy ending'|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/news/a794568/hollyoaks-star-ben-richards-is-leaving-the-show/|website=Digital Spy|publisher=(Hearst Magazines UK)|accessdate=28 June 2016|date=18 May 2016}} His character last appeared in the episode broadcast on 28 May 2016.{{cite web|last1=Kilkelly|first1=Daniel|title=Free Ben Bradley! Hollyoaks has aired the policeman's final scenes|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/news/a795671/hollyoaks-spoilers-ben-bradleys-final-scenes-have-aired/|website=Digital Spy|publisher=(Hearst Magazines UK)|accessdate=28 June 2016|date=27 May 2016}} In 2017, he recorded two songs for the album Wit & Whimsy - Songs by Alexander S. Bermange.{{cite web |title=Wit & Whimsy: Songs by Alexander S. Bermange |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wit-Whimsy-Songs-Alexander-Bermange/dp/B06XDPHFZ4 |website=Amazon.co.uk |accessdate=11 January 2019}} In October 2021, it was announced by Richards' management that he had been cast in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Gavin.{{cite news |last1=Seddon |first1=Dan |title=Emmerdale casts Hollyoaks and Footballers' Wives star Ben Richards in new role |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a37834917/emmerdale-ben-richards-new-role/ |access-date=2 October 2021 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=(Hearst Magazines UK) |date=2 October 2021}} In 2021, the director Benjamin Johns revealed that Richards would appear in his television film Relationships.{{cite web |title=Benjamin Johns films. Award winning diverse feature films, tv drama and feature docs that make you think. |url=https://benjaminjohnsfilms.com |website=benjaminjohnsfilms.com |access-date=23 May 2022}}

From 2022 till 2025, Richards has played the role of the Duke in Moulin Rouge! at the Piccadilly Theatre.

He is a former pupil of Felpham Community College.{{cite web|title=Actor gives brilliant performance on home stage|url=http://www.bognor.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/actor-gives-brilliant-performance-on-home-stage-1-3649637|work=Bognor Regis Observer|publisher=(Johnston Press)|accessdate=1 April 2012|date=24 March 2012}} Richards was married to Helen Richards in 2003. The couple had four children, all of whom were still-born due to a rare condition. Richards is a patron of Expressions Performing Arts in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.{{cite web|title=Welcome to Expressions Performing Arts|url=http://expressionsperformingarts.co.uk/|publisher=Expressions Performing Arts|accessdate=8 February 2012}}

In January 2012, Richards revealed that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. In March 2012, he spoke publicly about his illness in an interview in Hello! magazine. He said that doctors had discovered a six centimetre tumour. Prior to his diagnosis, Richards had been ignoring the symptoms. His doctors also predicted that he would make a full recovery, while his treatment was due to finish later that year.{{cite web|title='The Bill' star Ben Richards talks about his cancer battle for the first time|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/201203127399/ben-richards-illness-battle/|work=Hello!|publisher=Hello Ltd. |accessdate=2 April 2012|date=12 March 2012}} In August 2012, Helen announced on her Twitter account that her relationship with Richards had come to an end.{{cite web |last1=Stewart |first1=Alice |title=The Bill's Ben Richards splits from wife |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a397321/the-bill-footballers-wives-actor-ben-richards-splits-from-wife/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=(Hearst Magazines UK) |accessdate=10 May 2020 |date=3 August 2012}}

Richards has been in remission since January 2013 and soon became a patron of the awareness charity, Bowel Cancer UK.{{cite web|title=Actor Ben Richards becomes a patron |url=http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/actor-ben-richards-becomes-patron/ |publisher=Bowel Cancer UK |accessdate=20 September 2013 |date=2 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061457/http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/actor-ben-richards-becomes-patron/ |archivedate=21 September 2013 }} He is also a patron for the UK charity Chestnut Tree House. Richards later began a relationship with the television presenter Kirsty Duffy.{{cite web|title=The Wright Stuff Twitter Account|url=https://twitter.com/5WrightStuff/status/371985212487786496|work=Twitter|accessdate=20 September 2013|date=26 August 2013}} She gave birth to their first child, daughter Freja Amelie, in 2015.{{cite web|title=Ben Richards exclusively introduces miracle daughter Freja Amelie and announces new Hollyoaks role|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/2015042024690/ben-richards-baby-exclusive/|website=Hello!|publisher=Hello Ltd.|accessdate=29 April 2015|date=20 April 2015}}

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Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from West Sussex

Category:English male soap opera actors