Ricky Norwood, best known for his Eastenders alter ego Arthur ‘Fatboy’ Norwood, has been suspended by the BBC following the release of a lewd sex video.

The film, which was recorded on Skype, saw him smoking cannabis and performing a sex act.

“Ricky Norwood has been suspended from the show for a period of 2 months with immediate effect,” an Eastenders spokesperson told The Mirror.

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“In addition, Ricky would like to apologise to EastEnders’ viewers for any offence caused and for bringing the show into disrepute.”

The video is thought to have been filmed by a woman that the 28-year-old met online. The perils of internet dating.

Norwood joined the Eastenders cast in 2010 and won Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards the same year, and also at the 2011 National Television Awards.