Ricky Howard

Ricky Howard is a fictional character in The Office, played by Oliver Chris. Ricky is introduced as a temp employed by David Brent in the first series of The Office. Ricky is given a tour around the office and introduced to all the staff. He joins in with a series of dessert-based puns leading Brent to call himself, Ricky and as "the two Ronnies, plus an extra one". Brent makes obligatory references to Ricky's name being a character name from popular British Soap Opera Eastenders. When Ricky is seen at the photocopier asking for assistance from Gareth Keenan, Gareth is reluctant to help him. While at the fictional Slough night club "Chasers", it is revealed that Ricky has been having an "office romance" with Rachel. Brent is upset by this as she is meant to be looking after her and Ricky "isn't even permanent". Ricky is seen not in the second series of The Office.

The Ricky Howard character became Ryan Howard in the US remake.

Comparisons Between Ricky and Ryan Howard

The role expanded greatly, even to the point of Ryan eventually taking on what would have been Neil Godwin's role from the UK Office. In the British series Tim Canterbury and Ricky have a small friendship, whereas in the US Series there is a definate rivalry between Jim and Ryan, sprouting from the fact that Jim Halpert is dating both Pam and Karen when Ricky respectively asks them on a date. Jim says to Ryan in the third season "I preferred you when you were the temp", to which Ryan says, "Me too".