EastEnders actor Shane Richie, 62, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a heated exchange with staff at a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex, where he allegedly refused to stop vaping. The confrontation, captured on video, shows Richie brandishing a vape and telling employees he did not care about the fire risk. He has since been charged and is due to appear in court next month.
Arrest and charge
Essex Police confirmed that officers were called to Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 11:20pm on Wednesday, July 29, following reports of a suspected drink driver. On arrival, they arrested Shane Roche, Richie's real name, of Tadworth, Surrey. He was subsequently charged with drink-driving and is scheduled to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, September 9.
The arrest came after a video emerged showing Richie in a confrontation with petrol station staff. In the footage, an employee informs him that vaping on the forecourt is a risk due to the flammable nature of fuel. Richie, who plays Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, responds, 'I don't give a f***,' and insists, 'It's not smoking,' and later, 'This is not a vape.' The staff member had started recording after Richie refused to stop vaping.
Confrontation and police involvement
The petrol station manager called the police, describing Richie as 'aggressive' and claiming he was 'smoking' in the forecourt. During the exchange, Richie told the person filming, 'Someone's coming to change my tyre.' Moments later, Essex Police officers arrived and arrested him.
A spokesman for Essex Police told Metro: '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, September 9.'
Concerns over workload and future on EastEnders
The incident has raised concerns among those close to Richie, with reports suggesting he may be written out of EastEnders. A source told The Sun: 'This has been a long time coming. Shane has been struggling to keep up with the demands of his workload and it appears it has all got a bit much. Everyone is so concerned about him.'
The source added that since Richie's character Alfie took over as landlord of the Queen Vic, he has been filming constantly because he is at the centre of the show. They described the filming schedule as 'gruelling' and suggested the BBC 'won't take the incident lightly', hinting at a possible suspension. The BBC declined to comment.
Legal and professional implications
Richie's representatives have been contacted for comment, but no response has been reported. The drink-driving charge carries potential penalties including a fine, driving ban, and even imprisonment, depending on the severity. The court appearance in September will determine the outcome.
This incident adds to a series of challenges for the actor, who has been a prominent figure on British television for decades. The fallout from the arrest could impact his career, especially if the BBC decides to take disciplinary action.
