EastEnders actor Shane Richie faces a drink-driving charge after his arrest outside a Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex. Police confirmed the 62-year-old actor, who plays Alfie Moon, was taken into custody following a dispute late on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, and is scheduled to appear in court in September.
Police Confirm Arrest and Court Date Following Harlow Incident
Essex Police confirmed that officers were dispatched to the Church Langley Way area of Harlow shortly before 11:20 PM on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, following reports of a suspected drink-driver. Upon arrival, officers arrested a 62-year-old man at a Tesco petrol station forecourt.
Authorities formally authorised a charge of drink-driving against Shane Roche, professionally known as Shane Richie, of Tadworth, Surrey. The actor is scheduled to answer the charge at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 9 September.
“Officers were called to reports of a suspected drink-driver in the area of Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 23:20 on Wednesday, 29 July. On arrival, officers arrested a man. A charge of drink-driving has subsequently been authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Tadworth, Surrey.”
Essex Police
Confrontation at the Tesco Petrol Station Forecourt
The incident unfolded on an otherwise empty forecourt where Richie had reportedly driven his white Hyundai while dealing with what appeared to be a flat tyre.
Television Career and Upcoming Pantomime Commitments
Richie has portrayed Alfie Moon on the BBC soap opera EastEnders since 2002, establishing himself as a fixture of the show’s fictional Albert Square. Beyond his soap career, his television credits include finishing fourth on I’m A Celebrity in 2020, and he is already a pantomime regular who has dipped in and out of playing Alfie for the past two decades.
The legal proceedings coincide with planned professional breaks for Richie and his on-screen partner Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater (having debuted in 2000). Both actors are stepping back from EastEnders later in the year to pursue outside projects. Wallace is set to appear as Captain Hook in a pantomime production of Peter Pan at the New Wimbledon Theatre, while Richie is slated to play Muddles in a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea.
Scheduling Conflicts for Tour Dates and Court Appearance
The unfolding legal situation creates an immediate scheduling overlap for the performer. Richie recently announced new tour dates for his Prat Pack shows, a group in which he performs with Bradley Walsh, Joe Pasquale, and Brian Conley.
One of the group’s scheduled gigs is scheduled for September 9 in Sheffield — the exact date Colchester Magistrates’ Court expects Richie to appear for the drink-driving charge. Representatives for Shane Richie have been contacted for comment.
