Concerns are reportedly mounting within Shane Richie's inner circle regarding his demanding work schedule and past associations with "nineties drinking buddies," coinciding with claims that his wife has stepped away from their shared business. These developments follow Richie's arrest and charge for drink-driving.
Richie, 62, known for his role as Alfie Moon on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, was charged after police responded to an incident at a petrol station in Harlow, Essex. The confrontation, which occurred late Wednesday night, involved Richie being challenged by staff for vaping at the station. Footage from the event shows Richie responding to warnings about vaping near petrol by stating, "I don't give a f***."
A report in The Sun suggests that individuals close to Richie fear he might be "spiralling" and that his position on the soap could be at risk. A source indicated that Richie has been struggling with the intensity of his workload, particularly since his character took over as landlord of the Queen Vic, which has led to constant filming. "It is a pretty gruelling schedule," the source stated, also mentioning Richie's upcoming theatre tour in September for which he has been rehearsing.
"When Shane gets stressed he does like a drink, he has made no secret of that," the source added. There is speculation that BBC executives "won't take the incident lightly," and a suspension for Richie would not be surprising.
Richie is scheduled to embark on the nationwide theatre tour "Prat Pack" next month with Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley, and Joe Pasquale. However, there are concerns he might associate with "drinking buddies from the nineties" during this month-long tour.
Questions have also arisen regarding his marriage to actress Christie Goddard, whom he married in 2007. The couple has three children together. Reports indicate that Christie Goddard was removed as a director of their joint company, Bluebelle Skye Productions, in June, reportedly relinquishing control over the business they have managed since 2017.
The incident at the petrol station began when Richie reportedly drove his vehicle onto the forecourt with a flat tire. After exiting his car and being observed vaping, he was informed by staff that smoking was prohibited. Richie countered that vaping was not smoking, and when filmed, claimed, "This is not a vape."
As the petrol station manager contacted the police, alleging Richie was being "aggressive," Richie told the person filming, "Someone's coming to change my tyre."
Essex Police confirmed that officers were called to reports of a suspected drink-driver shortly before 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. A man was arrested, and Shane Roche, 62, was subsequently charged with drink-driving. He is scheduled to appear in magistrates' court on September 9.
Richie's history includes a previous marriage to Loose Women star Coleen Nolan from 1990 to 1999, with whom he shares a son. Richie has publicly admitted to infidelity during that marriage. He also confessed in his 2003 autobiography that his drinking contributed to the loss of his first marriage, stating, "I lost my first wife through my drinking. A bottle of Jack Daniel's and I was off."