EastEnders legend Sid Owen is reportedly furious and attributing the write-off of his £30,000 boat to the previous owners following what has been described as a drunken mishap. The 54-year-old actor, famous for playing Ricky Butcher, has vehemently denied being intoxicated during the incident that saw his vessel, named Rolling On The River, sustain significant damage.
Boat Business Venture Sinks
Owen had invested in a second-hand pleasure cruiser with ambitious plans to host VIP tours along the River Thames near his London home. However, the boat crashed into an overhanging tree at a marina in West London, tearing a hole in the hull. The actor now claims a dodgy fan belt caused the crash, insisting he only left the scene to help his elderly friend escape danger.
Sources close to the situation told The Sun that Owen is blaming the previous owner for the damage, but there may be more to the story. The boat, which would be worth around £115,000 new, is now considered a write-off.
Financial Implications
It has been reported that Owen and his business partner face substantial costs to remove the boat from the water before incurring fines from the Environment Agency. An Instagram account advertising the VIP tours features photos of the vessel's interiors and instructions to DM for prices and dates.
After the crash, it emerged that Owen had been drinking at a pub in Surbiton, six miles away, but he maintains he was not drunk. A representative for Sid has been contacted for comment by the Daily Mail.
Career Background
Sid Owen's acting career began in 1988 when he joined EastEnders. He left the show in 2012 after his character split from Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer). He made guest appearances in 2022 and 2023 before leaving again. His last acting role outside EastEnders was in the 2016 short film Angels And Cowboys. He has also appeared on reality TV shows such as Celebrity MasterChef and Channel 4's Banged Up.
