I'll wed Jade when I've got the cash for a diamond
Jul 24 2011 by Laura armstrong, The People
Ricky, 22, who plays Arthur Fatboy Chubb, spoke of his love for the Sugababes singer while his character is still nursing a broken heart after best friend and love of his life Mercy left Albert Square.
In an exclusive interview, Ricky said: We really are compatible and we really suit each other, so if all goes well I wouldn't see a reason why not to.
But before I think about proposing I know Ive got to save for that big rock of a diamond shes going to want.
I tried to say is cubic zirconia all right? and she just gave me a look. I have no clue how much I need to raise but its going to be very expensive.
I would hate to think of the price because I might start sprouting grey hairs.
Shes worth it though shes priceless.
The pair have been dating since 2009 and moved in together last year.
Lovable
Both their careers have taken off, with former Eurovision star Jade, 23, replacing Keisha Buchanan in the Sugababes and Ricky landing his EastEnders role.
His portrayal of lovable Fatboy has already seen him win Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards and Inside Soap Awards.
He was nominated for Best Newcomer at The British Soap Awards this year but lost out to Emmett Scanlan, 31, who plays Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks.
One person who couldn't be at his side on the night was Jade, who was performing at a gig with bandmates Amelle Berrabah, 27, and Heidi Range, 28.
The stunning singer is a huge fan of EastEnders and Ricky refuses to tell her what storylines are coming up.
When viewers saw him propose to friend Mercy Olubunmi played by Bunmi Mojekwu, 22 to stop her being deported to Nigeria for outstaying her visa, the plot came as a complete shock to Jade.
She watched proudly as her boyfriend secured his first so-called duff duff - the final scene of an episode before the famous theme music kicks in. Ricky said: I don't tell her anything to do with storylines. Shes a fan of the show and if Id told her I was going to propose there'd have been no excitement.
It was a mixed bag of emotions. She was just about to come out with I cant believe you didn't tell me that you were going to propose to Mercy, but then she realised I'd got my first duff duff.
I didn't even know it was going to be my first. I realised only when I watched it. We celebrated by running around the house, screaming, high-fiving and dancing.
East Londoner Ricky knew his chances of getting a happy ending on-screen were slim.
But in real life it looks set to be a different story after he and Jade were inspired by the Royal Wedding.
Ricky said: Shes my princess. I'm her Wills and shes my Kate. We both watched the wedding and she loved the dress. It put ideas in her head, of course.
I picked up the laptop the other day and shed been looking at wedding dresses.
I said Whats going on here then, love? and she said No, no, no, I just wanted to see Kate's dress again. Were happy and were healthy and were in love, but were still building our lives and I need more saving time! Some people go into marriage too quickly, but when the time is right for me and my lady I don't see why not.
Ricky is also hoping Jade might follow him into Albert Square, perhaps as a new love interest for Fatboy. He said: That'd be great for me. It would stop the bruising on my arms when she hits me for kissing other women, and itd also be great for her.
People forget she started off as an actress. Acting is a passion of hers and I'm sure at some stage when she has the opportunity and the time shes going to jump in to a TV series or a TV drama or a film.
Multi-talented Jade has also tried her hand at modelling, doing a shoot for lingerie brand Miss Ultimo.
But Ricky insists her sexy image doesn't bother him and he is proud that he and his girlfriend have found fame.
The couple even got their big breaks on the same day, with Jade finding out she was a Sugababe just as Ricky won his BBC1 role.
He said: Were both from East London. We've both come from the streets.
People have a stereotype that they put on people from that area, so its great to smash that. She did the Miss Ultimo shoot and at first I thought Shes my girlfriend, I don't want her in her underwear.
But I was supportive because its part of her work, it'll help her and she gets some free underwear out of it. If she thinks its a good thing to do I will support her 100 per cent.
At the end of the day she comes home to me so I haven't got any worries at all. Im lucky to go out with a beautiful lady so I know that guys are going to look at her.
But its a compliment they're looking and as long as they don't take it too far I'm happy.
We don't think of ourselves as famous though. We see ourselves as Ricky and Jade. Its only when we go out together that we kind of realise.
Ricky's star looks set to rise even further.
His character is part of the next big storyline in the coming weeks.
Fatboy comforts Whitney played by Shona McGarty, 19) after her brother Ryan (Neill McDermott, 30) finds out she is a prostitute and beats up her pimp on Southend Pier.
Ricky's only moan is he failed to be nominated for Sexiest Male in the Soap Awards.
He joked: They've got to leave something for me to aim for. Ill go to the gym, Ill go back to my boxing training and well see if I can get one of those Hollyoaks bodies. And you never know I might win it next year!
laura.armstrong@people.co.uk
EastEnders is on BBC1 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
