Richard Blackwood Recalls Being 'Blacklisted' When He Went Bankrupt 14 Years Ago

Richard Blackwood was “blacklisted” when he went bankrupt 14 years ago.

Copyright [Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock]

The EastEnders star - who plays Vincent Hubbard in the BBC One soap - recalled the horrific moment when he had no money and he wasn’t getting any offers for work because of his situation.

Speaking on Loose Women, he said: “I went bankrupt, and bankruptcy then wasn’t … Back then you were blacklisted and nobody wanted to touch you. I was one of the first people to go bankrupt in terms of ‘in the scene’, and my phone just stopped working. No one wanted to use me.”

However, Richard got his big break 18 months ago when EastEnders bosses cast him as Vincent Hubbard.

Copyright [Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock]

He said: “It has changed my life. I love the cast. Everyone is just so welcoming. This is just about work, everyone is very humble.”

The 44-year-old actor has been watching his pal and former co-star Ricky Norwood on Celebrity Big Brother and admits he “feels sorry” for the star having to share the house with “fools”.

He added: “I’m watching Big Brother and I really feel sorry for Ricky.

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"Ricky’s my friend and I know Ricky is looking at them like, 'You don’t get it. In five year’s time you’re gonna look back and wonder why nobody wants to book you.’

"When you are famous and all of sudden you’re not famous, that is the tough reality.

"I feel embarrassed. TV isn’t gonna stop them because it’s good for ratings. They’re going to continue to let them make a fool of themselves …”