EastEnders actor Shane Richie has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of drink-driving.

The 62-year-old, who has played Alfie Moon in the BBC soap since 2002, was arrested at a petrol station in Harlow, Essex, on 29 July where he was with his Hyundai IX35.

Richie, from Tadworth in Surrey, has appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court via video link from a hotel room.

The actor – who appeared under his real name of Shane Roche – spoke only to confirm his name, address and plea. He is next due to appear for trial at the same court on 17 November 2027.

The court heard Richie was arrested at the Tesco petrol station forecourt in Church Langley Way shortly before 23:20 on Wednesday, 29 July.

Prosecuting solicitor Vladimir Silea said Richie was taken to a police station in Harlow and he was charged with having almost double the legal amount of alcohol in his system.

Richie was granted unconditional bail.

The charge sheet at the court states that Richie “drove a motor vehicle, namely Hyundai IX35 GDI style 2WD… after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit”.

Richie’s solicitor has issued a statement.

Raj Chada, head of criminal defence at Hodge, Jones & Allen, said: “My client is not commenting at this time because criminal proceedings are active.

“We ask for his privacy to be respected while the court process takes its course.”

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