# Richard Ridings

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Richard_Ridings
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Richard_Ridings.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Ridings
> Source revision: 1356888431
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

English actor

This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Richard Ridings" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Richard Ridings Born Richard John Ridings Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England Alma mater Bretton Hall College Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Occupation Actor Years active 1983–present Spouse Catherine Jensen ​ (m. 1983)​ [1] Children Freya Ridings[2]

**Richard John Ridings** is an English actor. He portrayed Alan Ashburn in the [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) television drama *[Fat Friends](/source/Fat_Friends)*, Mr. Lipa in the Academy Award-nominated World War II drama [*The Pianist*](/source/The_Pianist_(2002_film)) (2002), Bernard Green in the [BBC One](/source/BBC_One) comedy-drama *[Common as Muck](/source/Common_as_Muck)*, [Mr. Bumble](/source/Mr._Bumble) in the [BBC](/source/BBC) series [Dickensian](/source/Dickensian_(TV_series)), and is the voice of Daddy Pig in *[Peppa Pig](/source/Peppa_Pig)*. He trained as an actor at Bretton Hall College, then the [Bristol Old Vic Theatre School](/source/Bristol_Old_Vic_Theatre_School). He is the father of singer-songwriter [Freya Ridings](/source/Freya_Ridings).

## Career

He had roles in a series of other television series and feature films, among them *[Clockwise](/source/Clockwise_(film))*, *[The Ink Thief](/source/The_Ink_Thief)*, *[Red Dwarf](/source/Red_Dwarf)*, *[Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)](/source/Randall_and_Hopkirk_(Deceased))*, *[Who Framed Roger Rabbit](/source/Who_Framed_Roger_Rabbit)*, *[Fierce Creatures](/source/Fierce_Creatures)* and as [Silas](/source/Silas_(Highlander)) in *[Highlander: The Series](/source/Highlander%3A_The_Series)*. Ridings voices Daddy Pig in the animated children's series *[Peppa Pig](/source/Peppa_Pig)*, Father Christmas and Boss Dwarf in *[Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom](/source/Ben_and_Holly's_Little_Kingdom)*, and Grooby in [Q Pootle 5](/source/Q_Pootle_5). In 2005, he took the lead role in the [BBC Radio 4](/source/BBC_Radio_4) sitcom *[Clement Doesn't Live Here Anymore](/source/Clement_Doesn't_Live_Here_Anymore)*, playing a sexually obsessed overweight ghost alongside [Steve Furst](/source/Steve_Furst) and [Amanda Abbington](/source/Amanda_Abbington). The second series was transmitted in May, 2007.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Ridings has also provided voiceovers in video games, including the voice of Sarge in *[Quake III Arena](/source/Quake_III_Arena)*, the Mentor in *[Dungeon Keeper](/source/Dungeon_Keeper)* and *[Dungeon Keeper 2](/source/Dungeon_Keeper_2)*, Mendechaus in *[War for the Overworld](/source/War_for_the_Overworld)*, Roach in *[Heavenly Sword](/source/Heavenly_Sword)*, General Pig in *[Puppeteer](/source/Puppeteer_(video_game))*, and ex-lawman Giles the Farmer in *[Fable II](/source/Fable_II)*, on the [Xbox 360](/source/Xbox_360) video game console. In 2010 he also provided the voice of Pigsy, in the video game *[Enslaved: Odyssey to the West](/source/Enslaved%3A_Odyssey_to_the_West)* and of Cornell (the Dark Lord of the Lycanthropes) in *[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow](/source/Castlevania%3A_Lords_of_Shadow)*. In 2011 he provided the voice of the leader of the Machina refugees, Miqol, in *[Xenoblade Chronicles](/source/Xenoblade_Chronicles_(video_game))* and in 2013 he provided the voice of the Hunter in *[DmC: Devil May Cry](/source/DmC%3A_Devil_May_Cry)*, the Daemon Lord in *[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate](/source/Castlevania%3A_Lords_of_Shadow_-_Mirror_of_Fate)*, and the Green Man in *[Tearaway](/source/Tearaway_(video_game))*. In 2016 he voiced Thorgrim Grudgebearer in *[Total War: Warhammer](/source/Total_War%3A_Warhammer)*.

Most recently, Ridings played a courageous ape named "Buck" in the "[Planet of the Apes](/source/Planet_of_the_Apes)" prequel, *[Rise of the Planet of the Apes](/source/Rise_of_the_Planet_of_the_Apes)*, which was released in August 2011. In 2015, he played Mr Bumble in the BBC miniseries *[Dickensian](/source/Dickensian_(TV_series))*.

## Filmography

### Film

Year Film Role Director Notes 1984 Lassiter German Guard #2 Roger Young 1986 Clockwise Policeman at Crash Christopher Morahan 1987 The Fourth Protocol Skinhead John Mackenzie 1987 Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire Egypt Alan Clarke 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit Angelo Robert Zemeckis 1989 Out of Town Labourer Norman Hull Short film 1989 Erik the Viking Thorfinn Skullsplitter Terry Jones 1990 King of the Wind Jailer Peter Duffell 1996 Different for Girls Richard Spence Uncredited 1996 The Wind in the Willows The Guard Terry Jones 1997 Fierce Creatures Hugh Primates Fred Schepisi Robert Young 1998 Up 'n' Under Frank John Godber 1999 The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc La Hire Luc Besson 2002 The Pianist Mr. Lipa Roman Polanski 2002 Puckoon Alex Walker Terence Ryan 2002 The Princess and the Pea King Windham / Button Mark Swan Voice 2003 Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life Mr. Monza Jan de Bont 2005 Frozen Lorry Driver Juliet McKoen 2005 The Brothers Grimm Bunst Terry Gilliam 2005 Oliver Twist Warder Roman Polanski 2006 Amazing Grace Speaker of the House Michael Apted 2008 Faintheart Collin Vito Rocco 2009 Creation Thatcher Jon Amiel 2011 Rise of the Planet of the Apes Buck Rupert Wyatt 2011 Isle of Spagg Bob / Mel The Brothers McLeod Voice Short film 2012 The Scapegoat Landlord Charles Sturridge 2012 The Horsemen Gary Samuel Bailey Short film 2013 National Theatre Live: This House Joe Harper Jeremy Herrin 2013 Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart Arthur Stéphane Berla Mathias Malzieu Voice (English version) 2013 The Physician Tough Guy Philipp Stölzl 2015 Peppa Pig: The Golden Boots Daddy Pig (UK) Mark Baker Neville Astley Voice Short film 2016 The Carer Pub Landlord János Edelényi

### TV series

Year Title Role Notes 1983 Reilly, Ace of Spies Vanderberg 1.02 "Prelude to War" 1984–1986 Fairly Secret Army Ron Boat 10 episodes 1986 Dempsey and Makepeace Tulley's Sidekick 3.08 "The Cortez Connection" 1987 The Ritz Mad Mick 6 episodes 1987 Matlock Nicky 2.01 "The Billionaire" 1987 Home to Roost Millwall 3.05 "Crime Watch" 1987 The Continental Mad Mick Television film 1988 The Comic Strip Presents... Yob 1 4.04 "The Yob" 1988 Casualty Kevin 3.02 "Desperate Odds" 1988 Watching Alistair 2.16 "Twitching" 1989 The Bill Campbell 5.49 "A Quiet Life" 1989 Saracen Bulmer 1.10 "Three Blind Mice" 1990 The Castle of Adventure Nico 8 episodes 1991 Red Dwarf D.N.A. Ship Computer Voice 4.02 "DNA" 1992 Sean's Show Steve 1.06 "Blind Date" 1992 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Andre 2.02 "Somme, Early August 1916" 1992 Liquid Television Diner Cook #1 5 episodes 1992 Boon Keith 7.07 "The Sharp End" 1993 Minder Warren 9.02 "No Way to Treat a Daley" 1993 Comics Tommy Karr 2 episodes 1993 Casualty Jack 8.02 "Riders on the Storm" 1993 Red Dwarf Crazed Astro 6.01 "Psirens" 1993 Screen One Kevin 5.06 "Money for Nothing" 1994 A Pinch of Snuff Brian Burkhill Television film 1994 Pie in the Sky Gary Bourne 1.09 "Who Only Stand and Wait" 1994 Wild Justice Carl Television film 1994 The Ink Thief Aloysius 7 episodes 1994–1997 Common As Muck Bernard Green 12 episodes 1994 Heartbeat Thorpe 4.15 "A Bird in the Hand" 1995 The All New Alexei Sayle Show 2.03 "Episode #2.3" 1995 Sorry About Last Night Greg Television film 1995 Cruel Train Percy Cotton Television film 1996 On Dangerous Ground Thomas Borga Television film 1997 Highlander: The Series Silas 2 episodes 1997 The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Reverend Thwackum 5 episodes 1998 Casualty Ted Stokes 12.22 "Love Me Tender" 2000 This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper Det. Supt. Dick Holland Television miniseries 2000 Nature Boy Ted Television miniseries 2000 Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) PC Buns 1.06 "A Man of Substance" 2000 Relic Hunter Johnny the Jackhammer 1.21 "Nothing But the Truth" 2000–2004 Fat Friends Alan Ashburn 14 episodes 2001 Murder in Mind DCI Quarry 1.01 "Teacher" 2001 Where the Heart Is Paul Foster 5.13 "Declaration" 2001 Merseybeat Ben Ormerod 1.09 "Crying Out Loud" 2002 Born and Bred Horace Trubshaw 1.03 "The Inspector Calls" 2002 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet D.I. Andy Hateley 3.06 "An Inspector Calls" 2003 Margery & Gladys Terry Mason Television film 2004 Dalziel and Pascoe Trevor Nesbitt 8.03 "Great Escapes" 2004–present Peppa Pig Daddy Pig (UK) Voice (main character) 2004 Casualty Robbie Beresford 18.39 "The Good Father" 2005 Timewatch Elder Sextus 24.02 "Murder in Rome" 2005 The Shape of the Future Narrator (voice) Television documentary 2005 New Tricks Robbie 2.07 "Fluke of Luck" 2005 Coronation Street Barry 3 episodes 2005 ShakespeaRe-Told Maurice 1.02 "Macbeth" 2005 The Worst Week of My Life PC Tait 2 episodes 2006 Mayo Mark Castello 1.02 "Requiem for a Dove" 2006 The Royal Malcolm Hogg 5.11 "Keep on Running" 2007 Roman Mysteries Venalicius 3 episodes 2008 Casualty Vince 23.16 "This Will Be Our Year" 2009 Merlin Halig 2.09 "The Lady of the Lake" 2011 Doctors Jeff Hollins 13.67 "Sunday Sunday" 2012 Holby City Roy Benson 14.21 "Fresh Blood" 2009–2012 Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom Big Bad Barry Dwarf Boss Dwarf Mine Door Father Christmas Voice 16 episodes 2013–2014 Q Pootle 5 Groobie / Planet Dave Voice 49 episodes 2013 50 Greatest Kids Shows Himself Television documentary 2013 Great MoVie Mistakes Himself (voice) Television documentary 2014 Our Zoo Henning 1.03 "The Village Rivals" 2014 Q Pootle 5: Pootle All the Way! Groobie / Planet Dave Voice Television film 2014 Borgia Adriano Castellesi 3.09 "1503, Part One" 2015 Chuggington Hamish Voice 4 episodes 2016 Jericho Thornhill 2 episodes 2015–2016 Dickensian Mr. Bumble Voice 15 episodes 2013 The TV That Made Me Himself 2.12 "Richard Ridings" 2016 Highlander: Dark Places Narrator Voice Television film 2016 Six Wives with Lucy Worsley King Henry, VIII 1.03 "Divorced, Beheaded, Survived" 2018 Thunderbirds Are Go Bob Gray Voice 3.04 "Night and Day"

### Video games

Year Title Role Notes 1997 Dungeon Keeper The Mentor (voice) 1997 Virus: The Game Viruses (voice) 1999 Silver Fuge (voice) 1999 Quake III: Arena Sarge (voice) 1999 Dungeon Keeper 2 The Mentor (voice) 2000 Imperium Galactica II: Alliances Additional Voices (voice) English version 2005 Kameo: Elements of Power Thorn (voice) 2005 Shinobido Kabuto (voice) English version 2007 Heavenly Sword Roach (voice) 2008 Viking: Battle for Asgard Additional Voices (voice) 2008 Fable II Farmer Giles (voice) 2009 Killzone 2 Additional Helghast Voices (voice) 2009 Risen Karakos (voice) Drok (voice) Ukkos (voice) English version 2010 Xenoblade Chronicles Miqol (voice) English version 2010 Enslaved: Odyssey to the West Pigsy (voice) 2010 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Cornell (voice) English version 2010 Fable III Additional Voices (voice) 2011 Killzone 3 Helghast Soldiers (voice) 2011 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Space Marine (voice) Chaos Space Marine (voice) 2011 Star Wars: The Old Republic Duke Kendoh (voice) 2013 DmC: Devil May Cry Hunter (voice) 2013 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate Daemon Lord (voice) 2013 Puppeteer General Pig (voice) 2014 Dungeon Keeper Mobile Horned Reaper (voice) 2014 Lego The Hobbit: The Video Game Additional Voices (voice) 2014 GRID Autosport Additional Voices (voice) 2014 Assassin's Creed: Unity Additional Voices (voice) 2015 Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below Additional Voices (voice) English version 2015 War for the Overworld Mendechaus (voice) 2015 Tearaway Unfolded The Green Man (voice) 2016 Total War: Warhammer Azhag the Slaughterer (voice) Balthasar Gelt (voice) Thorgrim Grudgebearer (voice) Vlad von Carstein (voice) Wurrzag the Great Green Prophet (voice) 2016 Dragon Quest Heroes II King of Harba (voice) English version 2018 Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom King Leonhard (voice) English version 2020 SpellForce 3: Fallen God Chieftain Kabrax Faithful (voice) English version 2023 Total War: Warhammer III Thorgrim Grudgebearer (voice) Immortal Empires Trailer and Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs DLC

### Theatre

Year Title Role Director Performance history 1984 Bouncers Lucky Eric / Judd John Godber West End, Tour 1984 Up 'n' Under Frank Rowley John Gobler Hull Truck Theatre 1987 Putting on the Ritz Mad Mick John Godber Haymarket Leicester 1988 Major Barbara Bill Walker Christopher Morahan Chichester 1990 Love's Labour's Lost Constable Dull Terry Hands RSC 1991 Troilus & Cressida Ajax Sam Mendes RSC 1991 King Lear Duke of Cornwall Nicholas Hynter RSC 2013 This House Joe Harper Jeremy Herrin National Theatre

## References

**General**

- Skalski, Jeff (5 February 2014). ["Dungeon Keeper Interview: Richard Ridings"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weQqYThhMDg). *YouTube*. [EA Mobile Games](/source/EA_Mobile). [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/weQqYThhMDg) from the original on 21 December 2021.

- Connelly, Brendon (7 April 2017). ["Richard Ridings interview: Daddy Pig from Peppa Pig"](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/richard-ridings-interview-daddy-pig-from-peppa-pig/). *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)*.

**Specific**

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["I cried for ages after Dunblane; Questions + Answers: RICHARD RIDINGS"](https://www.thefreelibrary.com/I+cried+for+ages+after+Dunblane%3B+Questions+%2B+Answers%3A+RICHARD+RIDINGS.-a061127061). *The Mirror*. 22 January 1997.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** McClean, Craig (30 November 2018). ["Freya Ridings interview: 'I feel like it was a horse race, and I'm a zebra'"](https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/freya-ridings-interview-love-island-a4004651.html). *Evening Standard*.

## External links

- [Richard Ridings](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725956/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

Authority control databases International VIAF GND WorldCat National United States Poland Israel Artists MusicBrainz People Deutsche Biographie Other IdRef Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Richard Ridings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Ridings) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Ridings?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.