Actor Shane Richie, known for his role as Alfie Moon in the BBC soap "EastEnders," has been charged with drink-driving. The arrest occurred on Wednesday evening at a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex.
According to reports, police were called to the scene shortly before 11:20 p.m. following a disturbance. Witnesses stated that Richie, whose real name is Shane Roche, drove his vehicle onto the forecourt with a seemingly flat tire. Staff at the station reportedly told him he could not smoke, to which he brandished a vape and stated, "It's not smoking." When further challenged about the device, he responded with profanity. The petrol station manager described Richie as "aggressive" before calling the police.
Officers arrived and arrested Richie. He was subsequently charged with drink-driving. The 62-year-old, who resides in Surrey, is scheduled to appear at magistrates' court on September 9.
Vaping at petrol stations is not a specific offense, but companies typically prohibit it due to potential fire risks associated with fuel vapors. Smoking cigarettes at petrol stations is a criminal offense due to the danger posed by sparks.
Concerns have reportedly been raised among those close to Richie regarding his workload and past associations. Sources suggest that Richie has been struggling with a demanding filming schedule for "EastEnders," as well as preparing for an upcoming national theatre tour. This pressure, combined with a reported tendency to drink when stressed, has led to worries about his well-being.
There are also reports questioning the status of his marriage to actress Christie Goddard. It is claimed that Goddard was removed as a director of their joint company in June, potentially impacting their shared business interests.