EastEnders actor Shane Richie, widely recognized for his long-standing role as the beloved Alfie Moon in the BBC soap opera, appeared in court on Wednesday to face a charge of drink-driving.
The 62-year-old actor, appearing under his legal name Shane Roche, joined the proceedings at Colchester Magistrates’ Court via video-link. During the hearing, he entered a formal plea of not guilty to the charge.
The case stems from an incident on July 29, when Richie is alleged to have been driving a white Hyundai in Church Langley Way, located in Harlow, Essex. Prosecutors contend that the actor was behind the wheel while over the legal alcohol limit.
Vladimir Silea, representing the prosecution, informed the court that police officers were called to a Tesco petrol station on Church Langley Way at approximately 11:15 p.m. on the night in question. Following the arrival of authorities, Richie was arrested and subsequently transported to Harlow police station.
According to the prosecution, officers initiated the standard drink and drug-driving procedure once in custody. Richie allegedly provided a breath sample of 65 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. This figure is significantly higher than the legal driving limit in England, which is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
During Wednesday’s brief appearance, the actor confirmed his personal details, including his date of birth and his home address in Tadworth, Surrey. At one point during the virtual hearing, Richie briefly disconnected from the video-link; upon the successful re-establishment of the connection, he offered an apology to the presiding judge for the technical interruption.
Deputy District Judge Christopher Maynard granted Richie bail following the entry of his plea. A trial date has been set for November 17, 2027, at which point the case will return to the same court.
Shane Richie has remained a fixture of British television for decades. Beyond his iconic tenure on EastEnders, he has established a diverse career as a game show host and a regular performer in pantomime productions. In 2020, he further endeared himself to a different segment of the viewing public by finishing in fourth place on the popular ITV reality series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Representatives for the actor have not issued a public statement regarding the upcoming trial. The court proceedings remain ongoing as the case moves toward its scheduled date next year.
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