Minty Peterson
Encyclopedia
Richard "Rick" Peterson is a fictional character
from the BBC
soap opera
EastEnders
, played by Cliff Parisi
. He made his first appearance on 11 March 2002. His nickname was given to him because he was always late for work, turning up "after eight
" when he was an apprentice mechanic. In April 2010 it was reported that the character was to be axed, and his last appearance was broadcast on 21 September 2010.
) and Laura Beale
(Hannah Waterman
). Laura asks Phil Mitchell
to have a word with Minty about his frequent demands for rent but the two turn out to be old friends. In November 2003, Phil is arrested for armed robbery; he asks Minty to look after his sister, Sam
(Kim Medcalf
). Minty falls in love with Sam but is unable to stop her relationship with Andy Hunter (Michael Higgs
), who really wants control of Sam's assets. Minty tries on several occasions to stop Sam marrying Andy, even proposing himself, but she marries Andy regardless. Minty moves into a flat with fellow mechanic Garry Hobbs
after saving him from a suicide attempt. They became good friends, however, problems develop in 2006, when Minty falls for Australian stripper SJ Fletcher (Natasha Beaumont
). SJ has a plan to con Minty out of his money, but Garry discovers her schemes and exposes her to Minty. She flees the next day, leaving Minty devastated.
When Garry's mother Hazel (Kika Mirylees
) comes to Walford in April 2007, Minty is attracted to her and they begin dating, despite Garry's objections. The relationship progresses quickly due to a misunderstanding that leads Hazel to believe Minty has proposed. She accepts and the wedding plans go ahead with encouragement from Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison
), who enters them into a bride and groom magazine competition so they can win their dream wedding. Hazel and Minty are selected as finalists, but in January 2008, Hazel leaves as she is becoming menopausal, and she wants Minty to find another woman to give him a child. Minty becomes depressed, but Heather convinces him to go through with the wedding so they can claim the competition's cash prize. Heather pretends to be Hazel, and soon develops feelings for Minty. In April 2008, Hazel returns wanting Minty back. Minty refuses her, and marries Heather instead. Heather hopes that the marriage is genuine, but Minty breaks her heart a few weeks later when she catches him kissing another woman. Minty reveals that he only sees Heather as a friend, and as the marriage is never consummated, Heather arranges an annulment
.
Minty attends a pottery class in March 2009 and meets Phil's old girlfriend, Manda Best
(Josie Lawrence
), whom he has not seen for 20 years. It is revealed that Minty had a crush on Manda in their youth, and when Manda discovers this, they begin dating. However, Minty becomes suspicious that Manda is embarking on an affair with Phil. Despite his relief that she isn't, he discovers that Phil is actually having an affair with Garry's girlfriend Dawn Swann
(Kara Tointon
). Minty tells her either she tells Garry or he will. Eventually Phil ends the affair, but Dawn remains in love with him. Garry eventually suspects something, and Minty finally tells Garry the truth. Garry decides to leave Walford on his boat, and Dawn chases him, declaring her love. Minty says a tearful goodbye as Dawn, her daughter Summer and Garry sail away. Manda then moves in with Minty when she is kicked out of her flat.
Minty bumps into Sam (now Danniella Westbrook
) in The Queen Victoria where she is in hiding after returning from Brazil where she has been on the run for four years. She promises Minty they will catch up and gives him her number, but he later throws it away. When Manda's son Adam
(David Proud
) comes to stay, he finds the number in the bin and asks Minty about Sam. He explains that they are just friends. Sam is eventually caught by the police and put in prison. Manda suspects Minty is having an affair and tells Adam, who searches for evidence and finds a letter that Sam has sent him from prison. Manda confronts Minty, and he admits that he has feelings for Sam, but says he wants a future with Manda. Hurt at this news, Manda claims that when she came to Walford hoping to reunite with Phil and has feelings for him. They end their relationship, and Manda leaves Walford.
Minty and his flatmate Darren Miller
(Charlie G. Hawkins
) plan to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup
final. Minty gives the tickets to Darren to look after, but they end up destroyed in the wash, when Darren leaves them in his pocket. An enraged Minty orders Darren to move out of the flat, and tells him he is going to South Africa anyway as he still has his flight ticket and will use Darren's cash he saved for the flight as spending money. After Minty returns, Billy Mitchell
(Perry Fenwick
) reveals that he met someone there.
Sam's mother Peggy
(Barbara Windsor
) asks Minty to convince Sam to allow Peggy to visit her in prison. Minty has made plans with Heather and her son George but goes to see Sam instead. During the visit, Sam, who is pregnant, collapses, and is taken to hospital. She says that Ricky Butcher
(Sid Owen
) is the father, but he refuses to see her. Sam says her baby needs a father, so Minty proposes to her and she accepts. Minty goes out with Heather to buy an engagement ring, but when he sees Sam again, she says she only agreed to marry him to shut him up as she was in pain. Minty returns home and talks to Heather, and he compliments her, saying she is who he wants, and they kiss passionately. He later tells Heather that their relationship will not be like it was the last time and he will always put her first. Minty and Heather meet with Reverend Stevens (Michael Keating) about a Christening for George, and he asks them if they plan to marry but Minty changes the subject. Minty later catches Heather wearing her wedding dress, and later goes to talk to her about it but she reveals she is making it into a Christening gown. Minty later tells Sam he will help her with the baby, Richard, any time she needs, and she later kisses him, saying he is a good man, and he reciprocates. He attends George's christening and ignores Sam's calls, but leaves the service abruptly and finds Sam outside. Heather then comes out and sees them kissing. Sam insults Heather and she leaves in tears. Minty refuses to go with Sam and returns home. Minty tells Heather he does love her and can stay if she wants, but she realises she is not what he really wants and asks him to go. He leaves the flat and phones Garry, arranging to meet him and asks if he can live with them for a while saying it is time to move on.
(Steve McFadden
).
Parisi has indicated that he was brought back in 2003 to be the friend of Phil, something that he enjoyed as off-screen Parisi and Phil's actor, Steve McFadden, are long-time friends. He comments, "I've known Steve for years, ever since we both started out acting, but we had never worked together before so it was terrific." When McFadden announced that he would be going on a hiatus in 2003, Parisi feared for his character's future in the serial, however the character was kept on. Parisi commented, "I didn't know [Steve] was moving on and it was as much of a surprise to me as anyone else - partly because we don't talk about work much but also because everyone is cagey about discussing storylines, even with each other. It's all top secret. I was disappointed because I was enjoying working with him. I did think it might spell the end for Minty. I was always going to be Phil's friend so they weren't sure what to do with me. But they've kept him and I'm obviously really pleased."
Parisi has described Minty as a "Mr I-can-get-it, I-can-sort-it type". However he adds, "[Minty] never really gets round to either getting it or sorting it. His intentions are always good but he never does it properly so there's a bit of a comedy element and he has a mischievous streak to him."
Minty was paired as friends with another male bachelor, Garry Hobbs
(Ricky Groves
); on-screen both worked together as mechanics and eventually moved in with each other as flat mates. Storylines featuring the characters together have been typically comical, and both actors have described the two characters as "light", fun loving and drama-free, giving viewers a break from the more serious plotlines that are featured in the soap. Groves has commented, "Garry and Minty are the light in the dark. [They're] not gangsters or love triangle material. [They] break up the drama with laughs so it's not all doom and gloom. It can't all be about teenage pregnancies."
Parisi stated in 2004 that he wanted to stay with the show long-term. In April 2010 it was announced that the character had been axed along with five others by the new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood
as part of a plan to "breathe new life into the show". His last appearance was in the episode broadcast on 21 September 2010.
of 1989 where 96 people died in a human crush
during a football match, received complaints. On-screen, Minty discussed the event as part of a storyline covering football hooliganism, saying "Five years out of Europe because of Heysel
, because they penned you lot in to stop you fighting on the pitch, and then what did we end up with – Hillsborough." A proportion of viewers were concerned that the programme was equating the Hillsborough tragedy to hooliganism. The Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) has suggested that the scriptwriters' reference was irrelevant, with one commenting, "Hillsborough was proven not to be hooliganism. Do the BBC not realise 96 people died and many families are still suffering?". In response to the complaints, the BBC said, "Minty was actually reminding Jase
[Dyer] that football hooliganism at Heysel led directly to the fencing-in of fans at football matches. He points out that this had tragic consequences - for the innocent spectators at Hillsborough. The BBC apologises if this remark was misinterpreted or caused any offence."
A storyline airing in 2008 featuring Minty and his friend Garry line dancing in cowboy
outfits to traditional country and western music, received complaints from actual line dancers. One line-dancer told BBC News
, "Really, I think they were making a mockery of line-dancers. Line-dancing is a great form of dance, a great form of exercise - I don't like it when I see people making fun of it." Steve Healy, editor of a line-dancing website, added, "People say line-dancing isn't cool, but you've had line-dancers who have gone on to dance with Kylie
[Minogue] on-stage and choreograph stage shows. Line-dancing gets kids doing some sports and off the street."
Garry Bushell
, TV critic for the Daily Star, has questioned why Minty would kiss Heather Trott: "What shock, what horror. You watched with mounting disbelief as the nightmare unfolded. Yes, Minty really did snog Heather Trott. Why? Why would he? Why would anybody? She's not exactly a F.I.L.F. (Fatty I'd Like to [Fuck]) She's not even his type — Minty's love-life has turned into an episode of Supersize v Superskinny
[Heather v Hazel]".
Cliff Parisi and Ricky Groves were given the "Best Double Act" trophy at the All About Soap Bubble Awards in 2007, for their portrayal as screen friends Minty and Garry.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
, played by Cliff Parisi
Cliff Parisi
Cliff Parisi is an English actor of Italian descent, largely recognised for his performance as Rick 'Minty' Peterson in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.-Career:...
. He made his first appearance on 11 March 2002. His nickname was given to him because he was always late for work, turning up "after eight
After Eight
After Eight Thin Mints are a confectionery product described as "mint enrobed in dark chocolate" and are intended, as the name suggests, to be used as after-dinner mints. They were created in 1962 by Rowntree & Company Limited...
" when he was an apprentice mechanic. In April 2010 it was reported that the character was to be axed, and his last appearance was broadcast on 21 September 2010.
Storylines
Minty first appears as the unsympathetic landlord of Janine Butcher (Charlie BrooksCharlie Brooks
Charlene "Charlie" Brooks is a Welsh actress, best known for playing Janine Butcher on the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Acting career:...
) and Laura Beale
Laura Beale
Laura Ellen Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Hannah Waterman.Laura only ever wanted a happy marriage, but was always made to feel inferior and unattractive by her husband, Ian Beale...
(Hannah Waterman
Hannah Waterman
Hannah Waterman-Groves is an English actress, daughter of Minder star Dennis Waterman and his second wife, actress Patricia Maynard.-Career:...
). Laura asks Phil Mitchell
Phil Mitchell
Philip James "Phil" Mitchell is a long-running fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden.Phil first arrived in Albert Square on 20 February 1990, and was soon joined by his brother, Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy...
to have a word with Minty about his frequent demands for rent but the two turn out to be old friends. In November 2003, Phil is arrested for armed robbery; he asks Minty to look after his sister, Sam
Sam Mitchell (EastEnders)
Samantha Margaret Priscilla "Sam" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders. The third member of the Mitchell family to be introduced, Sam entered as a 15-year-old school girl in July 1990, played by Danniella Westbrook. Westbrook quit in 1993, but was reintroduced...
(Kim Medcalf
Kim Medcalf
Kim Louise Medcalf is an English actress and occasional singer.She has made occasional appearances as a singer and is best known for playing the character Sam Mitchell in the long running BBC Soap Opera EastEnders from 2002 to 2005....
). Minty falls in love with Sam but is unable to stop her relationship with Andy Hunter (Michael Higgs
Michael Higgs
Michael Higgs is a British actor best known for prominent roles in two long-running television series: Eddie Santini in ITV1's The Bill, and Andy Hunter in EastEnders....
), who really wants control of Sam's assets. Minty tries on several occasions to stop Sam marrying Andy, even proposing himself, but she marries Andy regardless. Minty moves into a flat with fellow mechanic Garry Hobbs
Garry Hobbs
Garry Pelé Hobbs is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Ricky Groves. He made his first appearance on 18 September 2000...
after saving him from a suicide attempt. They became good friends, however, problems develop in 2006, when Minty falls for Australian stripper SJ Fletcher (Natasha Beaumont
Natasha Beaumont
Natasha Elisabeth Beaumont is an actress.Beaumont was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She grew up in Kuala Lumpur, attended boarding school in Sydney and moved at age 20 to attend Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, Australia. She initially studied set and costume design but changed to acting...
). SJ has a plan to con Minty out of his money, but Garry discovers her schemes and exposes her to Minty. She flees the next day, leaving Minty devastated.
When Garry's mother Hazel (Kika Mirylees
Kika Mirylees
Kika Mirylees is a South African-born British actress.-Biography:She has played Angela Snow in The Darling Buds of May, and Doc Newton in Red Dwarf....
) comes to Walford in April 2007, Minty is attracted to her and they begin dating, despite Garry's objections. The relationship progresses quickly due to a misunderstanding that leads Hazel to believe Minty has proposed. She accepts and the wedding plans go ahead with encouragement from Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison
Cheryl Fergison
Cheryl Fergison is a British actress most notable for playing Heather Trott in the long running BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Career:...
), who enters them into a bride and groom magazine competition so they can win their dream wedding. Hazel and Minty are selected as finalists, but in January 2008, Hazel leaves as she is becoming menopausal, and she wants Minty to find another woman to give him a child. Minty becomes depressed, but Heather convinces him to go through with the wedding so they can claim the competition's cash prize. Heather pretends to be Hazel, and soon develops feelings for Minty. In April 2008, Hazel returns wanting Minty back. Minty refuses her, and marries Heather instead. Heather hopes that the marriage is genuine, but Minty breaks her heart a few weeks later when she catches him kissing another woman. Minty reveals that he only sees Heather as a friend, and as the marriage is never consummated, Heather arranges an annulment
Annulment
Annulment is a legal procedure for declaring a marriage null and void. Unlike divorce, it is usually retroactive, meaning that an annulled marriage is considered to be invalid from the beginning almost as if it had never taken place...
.
Minty attends a pottery class in March 2009 and meets Phil's old girlfriend, Manda Best
Manda Best
Amanda "Manda" Best is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Josie Lawrence. Manda was introduced by executive producer Diederick Santer, and made her first appearance on 6 March 2009....
(Josie Lawrence
Josie Lawrence
Josie Lawrence is a British comedienne and actress best known for her work with the Comedy Store Players improvisational troupe, the television series Whose Line Is It Anyway? and more recently her role as Manda Best in EastEnders....
), whom he has not seen for 20 years. It is revealed that Minty had a crush on Manda in their youth, and when Manda discovers this, they begin dating. However, Minty becomes suspicious that Manda is embarking on an affair with Phil. Despite his relief that she isn't, he discovers that Phil is actually having an affair with Garry's girlfriend Dawn Swann
Dawn Swann
Dawn Roxanna Swann is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Kara Tointon, who first appeared on 26 September 2005...
(Kara Tointon
Kara Tointon
Kara Louise Tointon is a British actress, best known for playing Dawn Swann in BBC soap opera EastEnders. Tointon was the 2010 winner of BBC television series Strictly Come Dancing.-Early life:...
). Minty tells her either she tells Garry or he will. Eventually Phil ends the affair, but Dawn remains in love with him. Garry eventually suspects something, and Minty finally tells Garry the truth. Garry decides to leave Walford on his boat, and Dawn chases him, declaring her love. Minty says a tearful goodbye as Dawn, her daughter Summer and Garry sail away. Manda then moves in with Minty when she is kicked out of her flat.
Minty bumps into Sam (now Danniella Westbrook
Danniella Westbrook
Danniella Westbrook is an English actress and television presenter. She is known for being the original actress to play Samantha Mitchell in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders from 1990–93, 1995–96, 1999–2000 and 2009–10. Away from EastEnders she has presented various shows, and was also a...
) in The Queen Victoria where she is in hiding after returning from Brazil where she has been on the run for four years. She promises Minty they will catch up and gives him her number, but he later throws it away. When Manda's son Adam
Adam Best (EastEnders)
Adam Best is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by David Proud, the first adult actor with a visible disability to appear regularly in the soap. Both Proud and his character live with spina bifida...
(David Proud
David Proud
David Proud is an English actor. He was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. He only began his acting career during his early twenties, having previously believed that it would be impossible for him to have a career in that field. His first professional acting role was as a wheelchair...
) comes to stay, he finds the number in the bin and asks Minty about Sam. He explains that they are just friends. Sam is eventually caught by the police and put in prison. Manda suspects Minty is having an affair and tells Adam, who searches for evidence and finds a letter that Sam has sent him from prison. Manda confronts Minty, and he admits that he has feelings for Sam, but says he wants a future with Manda. Hurt at this news, Manda claims that when she came to Walford hoping to reunite with Phil and has feelings for him. They end their relationship, and Manda leaves Walford.
Minty and his flatmate Darren Miller
Darren Miller
Darren Miller is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Charlie G. Hawkins. He made his first appearance on 6 September 2004 and departed in the episode broadcast on 20 September 2011.-Storylines:...
(Charlie G. Hawkins
Charlie G. Hawkins
Charlie George Hawkins is an English actor. He was raised in Islington where he has lived since birth.His most notable role is Darren Miller in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he has starred in since 2004, although he has had other roles in films, dramas, documentaries and advertisements...
) plan to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
final. Minty gives the tickets to Darren to look after, but they end up destroyed in the wash, when Darren leaves them in his pocket. An enraged Minty orders Darren to move out of the flat, and tells him he is going to South Africa anyway as he still has his flight ticket and will use Darren's cash he saved for the flight as spending money. After Minty returns, Billy Mitchell
Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)
William "Billy" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Perry Fenwick, who made his first appearance on 2 November 1998. Billy was seen when Phil went to visit his godson Jamie. However, he didn't arrive in the Square until 2 August 1999, almost a year after...
(Perry Fenwick
Perry Fenwick
Perry Fenwick is an English film and television actor. He has one sister, Tracey, and two brothers, Faron and Lee. He is, also, the second cousin of Georgina Hagen, who played Lauren Waters in the series of Britannia High....
) reveals that he met someone there.
Sam's mother Peggy
Peggy Mitchell
Margaret Ann "Peggy" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Peggy was initially played by Jo Warne when she first appeared on 30 April 1991, featuring in the series on a recurring basis over several weeks. Peggy was reintroduced in 1994, recast and was then played by...
(Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor
Barbara Ann Windsor, MBE , better known by her stage name Barbara Windsor, is an English actress. Her best known roles are in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders....
) asks Minty to convince Sam to allow Peggy to visit her in prison. Minty has made plans with Heather and her son George but goes to see Sam instead. During the visit, Sam, who is pregnant, collapses, and is taken to hospital. She says that Ricky Butcher
Ricky Butcher
Richard Francis "Ricky" Butcher is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Sid Owen. Introduced as a school boy in 1988, Ricky is one of the longest-running, male protagonists to feature in EastEnders. Owen originally left the role in 2000 to pursue a music career...
(Sid Owen
Sid Owen
Sid Owen is an English actor, television presenter and former singer, most famous for playing the role of Ricky Butcher in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, which he appeared in from 1988 until 2000, 2002 until 2004 and then again from March 2008.-Career:Prior to his role in EastEnders he had a...
) is the father, but he refuses to see her. Sam says her baby needs a father, so Minty proposes to her and she accepts. Minty goes out with Heather to buy an engagement ring, but when he sees Sam again, she says she only agreed to marry him to shut him up as she was in pain. Minty returns home and talks to Heather, and he compliments her, saying she is who he wants, and they kiss passionately. He later tells Heather that their relationship will not be like it was the last time and he will always put her first. Minty and Heather meet with Reverend Stevens (Michael Keating) about a Christening for George, and he asks them if they plan to marry but Minty changes the subject. Minty later catches Heather wearing her wedding dress, and later goes to talk to her about it but she reveals she is making it into a Christening gown. Minty later tells Sam he will help her with the baby, Richard, any time she needs, and she later kisses him, saying he is a good man, and he reciprocates. He attends George's christening and ignores Sam's calls, but leaves the service abruptly and finds Sam outside. Heather then comes out and sees them kissing. Sam insults Heather and she leaves in tears. Minty refuses to go with Sam and returns home. Minty tells Heather he does love her and can stay if she wants, but she realises she is not what he really wants and asks him to go. He leaves the flat and phones Garry, arranging to meet him and asks if he can live with them for a while saying it is time to move on.
Creation and development
Minty was originally scripted as a guest character in 2002. He was only due to appear in a few episodes, but actor Cliff Parisi's contract was extended and Minty was turned into a series regular. Originally scripted as a less sympathetic character than he went on to become, Minty was given a backstory linking him to the character Phil MitchellPhil Mitchell
Philip James "Phil" Mitchell is a long-running fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden.Phil first arrived in Albert Square on 20 February 1990, and was soon joined by his brother, Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy...
(Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden
Steve McFadden is an English actor, known for his role as Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he has played since1990.-Early life:...
).
Parisi has indicated that he was brought back in 2003 to be the friend of Phil, something that he enjoyed as off-screen Parisi and Phil's actor, Steve McFadden, are long-time friends. He comments, "I've known Steve for years, ever since we both started out acting, but we had never worked together before so it was terrific." When McFadden announced that he would be going on a hiatus in 2003, Parisi feared for his character's future in the serial, however the character was kept on. Parisi commented, "I didn't know [Steve] was moving on and it was as much of a surprise to me as anyone else - partly because we don't talk about work much but also because everyone is cagey about discussing storylines, even with each other. It's all top secret. I was disappointed because I was enjoying working with him. I did think it might spell the end for Minty. I was always going to be Phil's friend so they weren't sure what to do with me. But they've kept him and I'm obviously really pleased."
Parisi has described Minty as a "Mr I-can-get-it, I-can-sort-it type". However he adds, "[Minty] never really gets round to either getting it or sorting it. His intentions are always good but he never does it properly so there's a bit of a comedy element and he has a mischievous streak to him."
Minty was paired as friends with another male bachelor, Garry Hobbs
Garry Hobbs
Garry Pelé Hobbs is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Ricky Groves. He made his first appearance on 18 September 2000...
(Ricky Groves
Ricky Groves
Richard "Ricky" Groves is an English actor best known for playing Garry Hobbs in EastEnders from 2000–09. Before his role in EastEnders he appeared in the series Burnside, a spin-off from The Bill.-Other TV work:...
); on-screen both worked together as mechanics and eventually moved in with each other as flat mates. Storylines featuring the characters together have been typically comical, and both actors have described the two characters as "light", fun loving and drama-free, giving viewers a break from the more serious plotlines that are featured in the soap. Groves has commented, "Garry and Minty are the light in the dark. [They're] not gangsters or love triangle material. [They] break up the drama with laughs so it's not all doom and gloom. It can't all be about teenage pregnancies."
Parisi stated in 2004 that he wanted to stay with the show long-term. In April 2010 it was announced that the character had been axed along with five others by the new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood
Bryan Kirkwood (producer)
Bryan Kirkwood is a Scottish-born British television producer. He was the producer of teen Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2006 until 2009 and has been the executive producer of the BBC soap EastEnders since 2010.- Personal life :...
as part of a plan to "breathe new life into the show". His last appearance was in the episode broadcast on 21 September 2010.
Reception
In 2007, a line said by the character, referencing the Hillsborough disasterHillsborough disaster
The Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough, a football stadium, the home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in Sheffield, England, resulting in the deaths of 96 people, and 766 being injured, all fans of Liverpool F.C....
of 1989 where 96 people died in a human crush
Stampede
A stampede is an act of mass impulse among herd animals or a crowd of people in which the herd collectively begins running with no clear direction or purpose....
during a football match, received complaints. On-screen, Minty discussed the event as part of a storyline covering football hooliganism, saying "Five years out of Europe because of Heysel
Heysel Stadium disaster
The Heysel Stadium disaster occurred on 29 May 1985 when escaping fans were pressed against a wall in the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, as a result of rioting before the start of the 1985 European Cup Final between Liverpool of England and Juventus of Italy...
, because they penned you lot in to stop you fighting on the pitch, and then what did we end up with – Hillsborough." A proportion of viewers were concerned that the programme was equating the Hillsborough tragedy to hooliganism. The Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) has suggested that the scriptwriters' reference was irrelevant, with one commenting, "Hillsborough was proven not to be hooliganism. Do the BBC not realise 96 people died and many families are still suffering?". In response to the complaints, the BBC said, "Minty was actually reminding Jase
Jase Dyer
Jason "Jase" Dyer is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Stephen Lord between 2007 and 2008. The character was killed off in the serial, making his final credited appearance on 29 August 2008.-Storylines:...
[Dyer] that football hooliganism at Heysel led directly to the fencing-in of fans at football matches. He points out that this had tragic consequences - for the innocent spectators at Hillsborough. The BBC apologises if this remark was misinterpreted or caused any offence."
A storyline airing in 2008 featuring Minty and his friend Garry line dancing in cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
outfits to traditional country and western music, received complaints from actual line dancers. One line-dancer told BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
, "Really, I think they were making a mockery of line-dancers. Line-dancing is a great form of dance, a great form of exercise - I don't like it when I see people making fun of it." Steve Healy, editor of a line-dancing website, added, "People say line-dancing isn't cool, but you've had line-dancers who have gone on to dance with Kylie
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
[Minogue] on-stage and choreograph stage shows. Line-dancing gets kids doing some sports and off the street."
Garry Bushell
Garry Bushell
Garry Bushell is an English newspaper columnist, rock music journalist, television presenter, author and political activist. Bushell also sings in the Oi! band The Gonads and manages the New York City Oi! band Maninblack. Bushell's recurring themes are comedy, country and class...
, TV critic for the Daily Star, has questioned why Minty would kiss Heather Trott: "What shock, what horror. You watched with mounting disbelief as the nightmare unfolded. Yes, Minty really did snog Heather Trott. Why? Why would he? Why would anybody? She's not exactly a F.I.L.F. (Fatty I'd Like to [Fuck]) She's not even his type — Minty's love-life has turned into an episode of Supersize v Superskinny
Supersize vs Superskinny
Supersize vs Superskinny is a British television programme on Channel 4 that features information about dieting and extreme eating lifestyles. One of the main show features is a weekly comparison between an overweight person, and an underweight person...
[Heather v Hazel]".
Cliff Parisi and Ricky Groves were given the "Best Double Act" trophy at the All About Soap Bubble Awards in 2007, for their portrayal as screen friends Minty and Garry.