UNACCEPTABLE: BBC soap legend ‘arrested for drink-driving’
Footage shows the star in an incident at a Tesco petrol station in Essex.
Shane Richie playes Alfie Moon in the long running BBC soap EastEnders (Image: BBC)
EastEnders star Shane Richie, who plays Alfie Moon in the long running BBC soap opera, is set for a court appearance after being charged with drink-driving following an incident at a Tesco petrol station in Essex The 62-year-old actor will appear before magistrates on September 9 after police were called to the forecourt in Harlow on the night of Wednesday July 29. Video footage from the scene reportedly shows him getting into a heated exchange with members of staff after he was challenged about using an e-cigarette on the petrol station forecourt.
Staff approached him to alert him to the fact he could not smoke there to which he replied: “It’s not smoking, it’s a vape.” An employee then alerted the star to the fact they were recording the situation telling him: “I have to get it on video for the police. That is a vape and that’s a risk in this petrol station.”
In the footage, which was obtained by The Sun, Richie is heard replying: “What, you’re filming me? All right, I’m going to film you.” As he walked back towards his vehicle, he said: “This is not a vape.”
After another member of staff reiterates it is a vape and poses a “risk” at a petrol station Richie responded: “Yeah, I don’t give a f***.”
He then sought assistance from two female members of staff outside the kiosk asking them to do him “a favour” by telling the person recording to “go away”. At this point one of the women identified herself as the manager of the store before calling police.
In the footage she tells the officers over the phone: “He started getting aggressive and he started vaping, so smoking an electric cigarette.” Richie continued to deny this insisting: “Not smoking a cigarette.”
An EastEnders legend has been arrested for drink driving (Image: BBC)
The police arrived at the scene a short time later. One officer is heard saying: “Hello, how you doing, OK?” Richie replied: “Yeah, you?” The officer then tells him: “These guys have said you might have been drinking and that you’ve driven this vehicle in here.” Richie walks towards the police vehicle as the footage ends.
Essex Police confirmed an arrest saying: “Officers were called to reports of a suspected drink-driver in Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday July 29.
“On arrival, officers arrested a man. A charge of drink-driving has subsequently been authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Surrey. He is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday September 9.”
