Age 7 – The young Prince in The Duchess of Malfi – School Production

By 14 he was spending much his time in amateur dramatics in his youth club, and then decided to join a Saturday drama class.

At 16 Ricky Left school and was offered his first leading role in a Children’s’ Foundation film “Pop Pirates” which was shown on BBC TV. This is a good film, and Ricky was very good in this – recommended viewing!

Ricky’s next production was at Leatherhead’s Thorndyke Theatre, where he played Billy Ray Junior in “On Golden Pond”.

Ricky was then chosen to understudy for “The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4” and Wyndhams Theatre in London’s West End. He played the lead on several occasions very successfully.

Ricky then went on to play the part of Ant Jones in Grange Hill for BBC TV, and within weeks of the transmission was established as one of the major characters of the series.

Ricky’s other TV work has included: The Saturday Picture Show, Take Two, Blue Peter, Newsround Special, Secret’s Out and Saturday Superstore.

Pop Pirates

http://www.cftf.org.uk/catalogue/p.html

58 mins Colour

Buy on Amazon

An adventure with music telling the story of a group of kids who enter a music competition and how a plot to pirate video promos is successfully foiled as they become popular winners with two great hits.

Made by Welbeck Film Distributors Ltd. Produced by Ralph Thomas, Written and Directed by Jack Grossman.

With: George Sweeney, Roger Daltrey, Joe Melia, Frieda Shand, Jon Finch, Spencer Chandler, Patrick Pereira, Calvin Samuel, Ricky Simmonds, Stephen Bird.

Pop Pirates video