Fans of EastEnders have a bone to pick with scriptwriters, after noticing something strange about the Mitchell family dynamics…
And the anomaly centres around Jack Branning’s son Ricky.
Read more: Tributes flood in as EastEnders actor Douglas Fielding dies at the age of 73
Viewers know that Ricky is Jack’s son with Sam Mitchell, but fans have pointed out that the Mitchell family seem to totally ignore the youngster – despite him being one of them.
Writing on Digital Spy Forums, one baffled viewer wrote: “Ricky is Sam’s son and yet I’ve never seen any of the Mitchells talk to him.”
They added: “They don’t seem to bother with Amy either. So much for family, eh, Phil?”
Read more: EastEnders fans gripped as Jack Branning is stabbed and robbed
Another added: “Have to say I hadn’t even noticed how weird it was that the Mitchells don’t interact with either child until you mentioned it! Definitely very odd.”
A third agreed, saying: “I noticed they always go to babysit Amy. Ricky never gets mentioned. He probably doesn’t talk because it means the BBC has to pay him.”
“That’s true,” wrote another. “It’s always Amy who needs looking after and we only ever see her interacting with the babysitter (usually Mel), but where is Ricky when this happens? Is he locked in his room?”
Others questioned why Ricky rarely seems to speak, writing: “Why doesn’t Ricky speak in scenes?”
“I think we’re meant to assume Ricky is off with his mates,” said one viewer. “He used to have plenty of scenes and lines when he was first recast, but has been more quiet recently.
“I think it’s more a case of Amy just fitting the plots better at the moment, having a bond with Mel for example. It’s also worth saying that the young actress who plays Amy is brilliant so will probably get more screen time anyway.
“Ricky will have his chance I’m sure. I like that Jack has two kids and we see that side to him now and again.”
However, another armchair critic believed Ricky is no longer needed in Walford, writing: “There’s no reason he’s still on the show.
“Dominic Treadwell-Collins dumped him on to try to force a makeshift family for Jack and Ronnie. Ronnie’s dead now.”
Ricky is currently played by young actor Frankie Day.
Frankie replaced Henri Charles last year, who had previously played the role since 2016.
The character was born on September 2, 2010 and lives with dad Jack and half-sister Amy, after Sam left him in Jack’s care and returned to Portugal.
In late 2009, while in a relationship with Ricky Butcher, Sam had an affair with Jack before being arrested and sent to prison for her role in the death of Den Watts.
At first she thought the baby was Ricky’s, but later discovered the baby was Jack’s after he demanded a DNA test.
ED! have contacted EastEnders for a comment.
What do you think of this story? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!