Vincent Hubbard is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Richard Blackwood. He was introduced by executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins during the show's 30th anniversary celebrations, and was later revealed to be the husband of established character Kim Fox (Tameka Empson). He made his first appearance on 17 February 2015 during the show's 5015th episode, and returned on two occasions on 19 February, one of which was in a flashback episode in which he gives Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) a gun. During these appearances, he is only credited as "Vincent", concealing his connection to Kim. He returned as a regular character on 21 April 2015.
Blackwood praised bosses for the character of Vincent, stating he knew that his portrayal would surprise viewers given his comedy background. He is described on the BBC website as a smooth operator, whose easy charm and quick wittedness covers a steely, ruthless streak and a reputation as a bit of a bad boy. They also state that Vincent believes himself to be the "main man" in the room, and knows how to play people to his advantage. Despite not appearing until February 2015, the character was foreshadowed by Kim's off-screen marriage during 2014. Blackwood's departure from the series was confirmed on 19 March 2018. He made his last appearance on 20 April 2018. The character was confirmed dead in October 2021.
Creation and development Casting and introduction
Richard Blackwood's casting was announced on 17 January 2015, where it was revealed that Blackwood would make his debut in the show during a live scene on 17 February 2015. He admitted to being nervous, but welcomed into the show with open arms. "I've got to say Jessie [Wallace] and Letitia [Dean] and all the guys, they really made me feel at ease. Adam [Woodyatt] is the nicest guy. He was checking I was alright and all of them made me feel at home." When asked about rehearsing for his live debut, he explained: "They are very pedantic here. The opening scene you saw us do, we rehearsed 20 times. They don't play around and you've got to hit your mark. It has got to be spot on."
Vincent was described as being "connected to everybody" on the square. Commenting on his role, Blackwood said: "I [want to] thank Dominic [Treadwell-Collins] and Julia [Crampsie] for giving me this amazing opportunity. EastEnders is a show I've grown up watching, so to film on Albert Square is something I'll never get used to! To know my first-ever scene will be a live one hopefully means the team believe in me and I won't let them down!" Treadwell-Collins said that Blackwood would bring "warmth, humour and energy, which will add so many layers to this 21st century EastEnders villain." The character was described as "your best friend, and your worst enemy", with Blackwood adding that "he has just got layers, villain is just too basic of a word. He is connected to enough people." Blackwood later stated that Vincent isn't a psychopath, but said that he has a "dark side". He added: "If you are in that world, then he will be dark with you, but to anybody else he's cool. He has got a heart but to the villains, he is villainous."
Vincent is the son of Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas) and has many ties to other characters. He was born and brought up in Walford and knew the Mitchell family, including Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). His father was infamous in the area and knew Eric Mitchell and Den Watts (Leslie Grantham). Vincent had a relationship with Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), who he had a lot of history with, said to have happened in 2013. It ended abruptly when Ronnie departed Walford for Ibiza, although they meet once more when Vincent gives Ronnie a gun on Good Friday 2014 (as seen in a flashback episode broadcast on 19 February 2015).
Vincent's recent history also included his marriage to established character Kim Fox (Tameka Empson), who had been off-screen during 2014 due to Empson's maternity leave. Kim had been on a cruise holiday, informing her family that she had married while away and returning to Walford alone and pregnant in December 2014. Following Vincent's introduction, it is explained that Kim had abandoned him after seeing him covered in blood.
Storyline development
On 14 April 2015, it was revealed that EastEnders would be revisiting Vincent's backstory. Following the character's permanent return to the square on 21 April, it transpired that he was the son and foster brother of established characters Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas) and Donna Yates (Lisa Hammond) respectively. Blackwood told Radio Times that the character will get darker as his time on the show progresses. "There's a lot more. Wait until you see some of the scenes coming up - they raise the hairs." He began. "The writers on EastEnders know what they're doing. They grab you and keep you watching. I've just spoken to them actually and they said, 'we've got a lot more you'. So the audience is in for some trouble!" Speaking about the future of Vincent on the show, Blackwood said: "The thing about Vincent that I love is that he’s very human. He’s got a dark side, but he only acts that way with people who are in the same realm as him. So if you’re in the underworld, he’s very much like that. But if you’re an innocent person, then he won’t mess with you."
Notable relationships Vincent's relationship with Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) was alluded to during his first screen appearance after he visited her whilst she was in a coma. It later transpired that he was married to established character Kim Fox (Tameka Empson). His relationship with the two characters added to the contrast of his dark and light personality, which was made clear following his original appearances. With Ronnie, he was shown to be more villainous having given her a gun and committed to several dirty deeds prior to meeting Kim; his scenes with Kim showed him to be more caring and laid-back, wanting to be a father figure for their daughter, Pearl.
Departure It was announced on 19 March 2018 that Blackwood would depart the series in Spring 2018, after three years in the role. Writers pitched a storyline for Vincent which would conclude with his departure, and Blackwood accepted the idea. Blackwood felt it would be the correct time to leave the show, and told entertainment website Digital Spy that he had enjoyed his time on the show and felt "truly blessed" to have been given his storylines. He added, "when I was presented with my last story, I knew it was time for Vincent to depart Walford." A show spokesperson confirmed the news and wished Blackwood well for the future. His last scenes aired on 20 April 2018.
Storylines Vincent arrives in Albert Square having followed Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) home, confronting him and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) about the whereabouts of Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), a former flame. Phil recognises Vincent and warns Billy that he's bad news. Billy reveals to Vincent that Ronnie is in a coma at Walford General Hospital following a car crash on New Year's Day and, upon visiting the hospital, leaves a white rose for Ronnie so she knows he's visited. During the wedding reception of Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) mocks her sister Kim Fox's (Tameka Empson) relationship with Vincent, her husband, as she goes into premature labour with his child. Vincent watches from afar as she is taken to hospital, and Kim later explains to Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) that she ran away from Vincent after walking in on him covered in blood and, thus, chose not to tell him she was pregnant. She becomes wary when he tries to contact her again after witnessing her with their daughter, Pearl, and is scared when she finds someone has given Pearl a toy, instantly believing it was Vincent (though it is later revealed to be Denise). Kim tells Denise that Vincent never existed and Pearl was the result of a one-night stand, but later admits the truth and explains her experience when she went to tell him she was pregnant.
The following month, Vincent sends Ronnie a "get well soon" card after hearing she has awoken from her coma, and later visits her. He reminds her of the times they spent with each other when he owned a bar and attempts to romance her, but she quickly informs him that she is married to Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett). He leaves, and Ronnie later explains to her sister, Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), that she and Vincent were in a relationship before they left for Ibiza. Vincent visits Kim, who reveals what she saw him getting up to at his flat and he explained that he was helping a victim of a mugging, giving her a news article stating he'd saved the man's life. Whilst in Albert Square, Vincent decides to pay a visit to his foster sister, Donna Yates (Lisa Hammond), and reveals to her that he is Pearl's father, leaving her shocked as she did not see Kim as his type. He also confesses to her that he is close with Ronnie. Following their conversation, he decides he wants to repair his marriage with Kim for the sake of their baby, but is thrown when Ronnie requests him to find some way of preventing a drug dealer from testifying against her former grandmother-in-law Dot Branning (June Brown) during her murder trial, which he refuses. However, Ronnie reminds him that she still has the gun he gave her, so he lends her the favour. Ronnie begins to repel Vincent and he begins visiting her more often in hospital, eventually revealing to her that he believes that it was Ronnie's cousin, Phil, who killed Carl White (Daniel Coonan), when it was actually her. When Ronnie finds out he has got the wrong end of the stick, she asks Phil to confront him. Phil approaches Vincent, threatening to kill one of his family members if he doesn't leave Ronnie alone. However, Vincent punches him and warns him to back off. Vincent later visits Kim and pledges he wants to be a father to Pearl, but is interrupted when the police arrest him in connection to the assault of the drug dealer, and later convinces Kim to give him a false alibi for the encounter. Following this, Kim forces Vincent to promise her no more lies, and Donna is disheartened to find they have reunited, bitterly revealing to Kim that Vincent had dated Ronnie.
Vincent reunites with Kim having promised her that he and Ronnie are no longer together. He later approaches Phil after finding out he was the cause of his arrest and blackmails him, threatening to reveal Ronnie as Carl's murderer if he does not hand The Albert over to him. Phil's wife Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) disapproves of this, and she and Vincent are forced to share the business. Phil grows irritable about Vincent's involvement in the business and, when Vincent changes the name of The Albert to "Pearl's", Phil attacks him. Kim decides to end their marriage after seeing him covered in blood, but he soon is able to change her mind. Patrick is initially distrusting of Vincent, but they soon begin to bond slowly, especially after Vincent finds an old record Patrick recorded with his former band. Soon after, Vincent kisses Ronnie, but says it was only to show he still could.