Shane Richie faces drink-driving charge after police were called when he argued with petrol station staff over vaping

EastEnders actor Shane Richie has been charged with drink-driving after police were called to a petrol station in Harlow, Essex, following a confrontation with staff over his vaping. Footage showed the 62-year-old, who plays Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, swearing at staff and dismissing warnings after being spotted with a vape at a Tesco forecourt, prompting the manager to call police amid concerns he was being aggressive.

The incident began just after 11pm on 29 July when Richie, whose real name is Shane Roche, pulled onto the forecourt in a white Hyundai with an apparently flat tyre. When staff warned him he could not vape near fuel pumps due to fire risk, he responded "I don't give a f***" and denied the device was a vape once he realised he was being filmed. Essex Police confirmed officers arrested him after being called about a suspected drink-driver, and he has since been charged with drink-driving; he is due to appear at Harlow Magistrates' Court on 9 September. Richie has played Alfie Moon in EastEnders since 2002, on and off, including a spin-off series in 2017, and has been in the role continuously since 2022.