EastEnders’ Shane Richie has been charged with a drink-driving offence after being arrested at an Essex petrol station.
The actor, 62, was filmed arguing with staff at a Tesco garage on Wednesday (29 July) after being asked to stop vaping on the petrol station forecourt.
The police were subsequently called, with the EastEnders star – whose real name is Shane Roche – being arrested for drink-driving. A spokesperson for the Essex Police told The Independent: “Officers were called to reports of a suspected drink driver in the area of Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday 29 July.
“On arrival, officers arrested a man. A charge of drink driving has subsequently been authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Tadworth, Surrey. He is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 9 September.”
In footage obtained by The Sun, the Alfie Moon actor was seen holding a vape by his car and telling staff: “It’s not smoking, it’s a vape.” After being asked not to use his e-cigarette by the staff, he is heard telling them to “f*** off”.
“I don’t give a f***,” he added, before later telling them: “Someone is coming to change my tyre.”
The Independent has contacted Richie’s representative for comment.
The comedian and actor is best known for playing Alfie Moon on BBC soap EastEnders, having first joined in 2002. In recent years, he’s appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Benidorm and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here – coming in fourth place in the 2020 series.
Last year saw Richie become the focus of a big storyline in Albert Square, with Alfie marrying Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) for the third time. The well-known Walford couple had previously wed in 2003 and again in 2014 despite multiple infidelities.
Richie was previously married to Loose Women star Coleen Nolan from 1990 until 1999, with the pair sharing sons Shane Jr, 38, and Rixton frontman Jake Roche, 33.
He went on to remarry in 2007, tying the knot with actor Christie Goddard. The couple welcomed three daughters: Mackenzie Blue, 20, Lolita Bell, 18, and Romanie-Skye, 15.