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

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 08:48, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 08:48, 1 August 2026 EastEnders star Shane Richie faces a charge of drink-driving after police were called following a row with petrol station staff. Richie, 62, who plays Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, was challenged after he was seen vaping at the Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex. Footage of the incident, which unfolded just after 11pm on Wednesday, saw Richie tell staff 'I don't give a f***' when warned about the dangers of using any kind of smoking device around petrol. The row began after Richie, real name Shane Roche, drove his white Hyundai onto the forecourt seemingly with a flat tyre. After exiting his vehicle and being spotted with a large vape by staff, the actor was told he could not smoke at the station. Brandishing the vape, Richie replied: 'It's not smoking.' Upon realising he was being filmed, the EastEnders star then claimed: 'This is not a vape.' After staff told him the vape 'is a risk', the actor, while reaching back inside his car and his back to the employee, said: 'I don't give a f***.' As the manager of the petrol station phoned police, claiming Richie was being 'aggressive,' he told the man filming: 'Someone's coming to change my tyre.'  Eastenders star Shane Richie faces a charge of drink-driving after police were called following a row with petrol station staff Richie, 62, who plays Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, was challenged after he was seen vaping at the Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex Police were later seen arriving at the forecourt. Richie was arrested and later charged with drink-driving. He is set to appear in court next month. It is a criminal offence to smoke a cigarette at a petrol station due to the danger posed by sparks in the proximity of fuel, which is highly flammable. It is not a specific offence to vape on forecourts, but firms strictly prohibit it over concerns about the same risk.  A spokesman for Essex Police said: 'Officers were called to reports of a suspected drink-driver in Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday July 29. 'On arrival, officers arrested a man. A charge of drink-driving has subsequently been authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Surrey. 'He is due to appear at magistrates' court on Wednesday, September 9.' Richie is best known for his EastEnders role, having appeared on the soap for multiple stints since 2002, and his character has currently been part of the line-up since 2022. He portrayed Alfie Moon again in a six-part spin-off Redwater in 2017. A representative for Richie was contacted for comment.  Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.