Actor Shane Richie faces a charge of drink-driving after police were called to a petrol station in Harlow, Essex, following an argument with staff. Richie, 62, known for his role as Alfie Moon in the BBC soap EastEnders, was reportedly seen vaping at a Tesco petrol station.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday. Footage from the scene showed Richie telling staff he did not care about warnings regarding the dangers of using smoking devices near petrol. The dispute began when Richie, whose real name is Shane Roche, drove his vehicle onto the forecourt with what appeared to be a flat tyre.
Staff reportedly approached Richie after observing him with a large vape and informed him that smoking was prohibited. Richie responded by stating, "It's not smoking," and later, upon realizing he was being filmed, claimed, "This is not a vape." When staff emphasized the risk, Richie, reaching back into his car, said, "I don't give a f***."
The petrol station manager contacted the police, citing Richie's alleged aggressive behavior. Police arrived at the scene and arrested Richie. He was subsequently charged with drink-driving and is scheduled to appear in court on September 9.
While smoking cigarettes at petrol stations is a criminal offense due to the flammability of fuel and the risk of sparks, vaping is not explicitly illegal in such locations. However, companies typically prohibit vaping due to similar safety concerns.
Essex Police confirmed the arrest, stating, "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."
Richie has been a prominent figure on EastEnders since 2002, with his character Alfie Moon currently part of the ongoing storyline. He also reprised the role in the 2017 spin-off series Redwater.