Ricky Smith
Ricky Smith was Mickey Smith's equivalent in an alternative universe, and fought Cybus Industries.
Biography
Early life
Ricky and Mickey had similar upbringings. Their respective fathers, each named Jackson Smith, left each of them at an early age. (TV: Rise of the Cybermen)
Later life
While Mickey's grandmother Rita-Anne, who had raised him, died in 2002 after tripping on loose carpeting and falling down a flight of stairs, Ricky's version of his grandmother still lived, though she felt neglected by him. (TV: Rise of the Cybermen)
Ricky belonged to, and had assumed leadership of, the Preachers, a guerilla band who opposed John Lumic, Cybus Industries, and the Cybermen Lumic had created. He had also learned how to use an AK-47. (WC: Tardisode 5, TV: Rise of the Cybermen, The Age of Steel)
Yet as he later admitted, his boasted title as "London's most wanted" (TV: Rise of the Cybermen) came from having unpaid parking tickets all over London. He said he viewed parking violations as another way to strike back at the system. (TV: The Age of Steel) Previously a person known as Thin Jimmy had held the title of most wanted in London.
Ricky had a close relationship with another Preacher, Jake Simmonds. (TV: Rise of the Cybermen, The Age of Steel)
When Ricky met Mickey by accident at the Preachers' base, Ricky immediately suspected subterfuge. Mickey gained his counterpart's grudging trust and was brought along with the other Preachers in their van. (TV: Rise of the Cybermen) He also gave the Tenth Doctor his trust. The Preachers joined forces with Rose and the Tenth Doctor. Evading Cybermen, everyone split up, with Ricky and Mickey forming a group of two.
Ricky died while running from a Cyberman, electrocuted while trying to climb over a chain link fence as Mickey looked on helplessly from the other side. In his memory, Mickey decided to stay on the parallel Earth to take Ricky's role and help to liberate countries other than England from the Cybermen. (TV: The Age of Steel)
Other references
The Ninth Doctor had a habit of calling Mickey Smith "Ricky". (TV: World War Three)
Personality
Ricky had a much more tough, take-charge demeanour than Mickey. Like the other Preachers, he wore an all-black, militaristic quasi-uniform. Despite his militancy, Ricky cared deeply about his beliefs and treated his fellow Preachers with absolute respect. He also gave the Doctor and Mickey the benefit of the doubt. Ricky showed no romantic interest in Rose, which would tend to support the idea that he had a relationship with Jake, but not proving that he did.
Behind the scenes
- Mickey Smith had a tattoo on his right arm. (TV: Rise of the Cybermen). It is unknown if Ricky also had a tattoo there.
- It was suggested by Russell T Davies that Ricky Smith share a kiss with Jake. This was not included in the final version or, indeed, filmed. A deleted scene available on the Series 2 box set has a scene from the end of The Age of Steel showing Mickey and Jake in the van, and when Mickey mentions how he may be different from Ricky, Jake mentions how Ricky was his boyfriend before he died, much to Mickey's shock.
- Although Noel Clarke played both Mickey and Ricky, he was credited on both Rise of the Cybermen and The Age of Steel only as 'Mickey Smith'.
