People close to Shane Richie are reportedly worried the EastEnders star could be spiralling following his drink-driving charge, with fears he may be dropped from the soap if the situation worsens.
Richie, 62, who plays Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, was charged with drink-driving after police were called to a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex, just after 11pm on July 29. The incident began when staff challenged him for vaping on the forecourt. He told staff the device was not a vape, then said he did not care about the safety risk as the station manager called police.
Essex Police confirmed officers arrested a man at Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 11.20pm that evening. Shane Roche, 62, of Surrey, has been charged with drink-driving and is due to appear at magistrates’ court on September 9.
Concerns from those close to him
A source told The Sun that people around Richie believe the pressures of his workload have become too much. The source said Richie has been filming constantly since his character Alfie took over as landlord of the Queen Vic, putting him at the centre of the show. The source described it as a gruelling schedule, and noted that Richie has a major theatre tour in September that he has been rehearsing for.
The source added that when Richie gets stressed, he likes a drink, and said he has never made a secret of that. There are also reported concerns that BBC bosses will not take the petrol station incident lightly, with the source saying a suspension would not come as a surprise.
Next month Richie is due to perform in a nationwide theatre tour called Prat Pack alongside Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley and Joe Pasquale. The Sun reports fears that Richie will be spending a whole month away with drinking companions from the nineties.
Marriage and business questions
Questions have also emerged about Richie’s marriage to actress Christie Goddard, whom he wed in 2007. The couple have three children together.
Christie was reportedly terminated as director of their joint company, Bluebelle Skye Productions, in June, meaning she no longer has control over the business they ran together since 2017.
Richie has appeared on EastEnders in multiple stints since 2002, with his current run beginning in 2022. He also appeared in the six-part spin-off Redwater in 2017. A representative for Richie was contacted for comment.
