Shane Richie Jr., son of EastEnders actor Shane Richie, has made light of his father's recent drink-driving arrest during a live performance. The younger Richie, 37, also discussed his decision to change his surname from Richie to Nolan, a move he attributes to his mother Coleen Nolan's greater fame.
During a joint show with his mother, titled "This Is Me," at Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush on Sunday, Shane Jr. reportedly quipped to the audience, "The more you drink the funnier I get. Is anyone having a drink tonight? But remember don’t drink and drive. Don’t do it."
His father, Shane Richie, 62, who plays Alfie Moon in the BBC soap opera, was charged with drink-driving after police were called to a row at a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex, last week. Footage from the incident, which occurred shortly after 11 p.m., shows the actor being challenged for vaping on the premises. Richie initially responded, "It's not smoking," and later, "This is not a vape." When told by staff that the vape posed a risk, he was heard saying, "I don't give a f***."
As the petrol station manager contacted the police, claiming Richie was being aggressive, the actor told a bystander filming the scene, "Someone's coming to change my tyre."
Police arrived, arrested Richie, and subsequently charged him with drink-driving. He is scheduled to appear in court next month.
While smoking at a petrol station is a criminal offense due to the risk of sparks igniting fuel, vaping is not specifically prohibited. However, petrol station companies typically ban it due to similar safety concerns. Reports suggest that individuals close to Shane Richie are concerned he might be "spiralling" and could face suspension from EastEnders. A source told The Sun that Richie has been struggling with the demands of his workload, which includes constant filming as his character is central to the show's storylines, as well as rehearsals for a tour in September. The source added that Richie tends to drink when stressed, and BBC bosses may not take the incident lightly, potentially leading to his suspension.
Shane Jr. also addressed his name change, which occurred around 2017 when his mother, Coleen Nolan, participated in Celebrity Big Brother. He explained his decision to switch from Shane Richie Jr. to Shane Nolan, joking that he goes with the parent who is most famous to earn more money, and that his mother is currently "smashing it."
Shane Richie and Coleen Nolan were married in 1990, had two sons, and divorced in 1999 after Richie's infidelity.
