The 62-year-old actor, best known for playing Alfie Moon, is scheduled to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 9 on a charge of drink-driving.

Police said the arrest followed reports of a suspected drink-driver in the Church Langley Way area of Harlow shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday, July 29.

Officers attended the scene and arrested a man, and a charge of drink-driving was later authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Tadworth, Surrey.

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Now, The Sun’s sources on EastEnders have claimed that some cast members are becoming frustrated by what they see as preferential treatment for certain stars.

Shane Richie has reportedly been given time away from the soap later this year to take on a pantomime role said to be worth six figures.

However, other actors — who are claimed to earn less for their work on the BBC programme — have allegedly had comparable requests turned down.

A Walford insider said: “Nothing will happen [to Shane]. Nothing ever does to the favourites.

“Jessie [Wallace] and Shane are both given time off to effectively double their salaries while others aren’t allowed unless it works for the show.

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“They say it’s down to the story but when it’s the same people allowed time off time and time again then it seems like it’s not about the story and more about keeping a select few happy.”

Mr Richie first came to prominence after working as a Pontins bluecoat and stand‑up comedian before moving into television game shows and sketch comedy.

He joined EastEnders in 2002, with his character Alfie Moon quickly becoming one of the BBC soap’s most popular figures.

His on‑off partnership with Kat Slater is regarded as one of soap’s best‑known double acts and has seen him appear in more than a thousand episodes.

Away from Albert Square, Mr Richie has fronted prime‑time TV shows, appeared in major stage musicals and pursued a parallel career as a recording artist.

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He also has strong links to Oxford’s theatre scene, having performed at the New Theatre in 2006 in a production of Scrooge.

More recently, he appeared in the city in 2025 as part of the Prat Pack, bringing a mix of music and comedy to local audiences.

The show teams him with fellow entertainers Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley and Joe Pasquale, who bill themselves as a tongue‑in‑cheek take on the classic Rat Pack.

Their 2025 tour stopped at the New Theatre Oxford on George Street for a one‑night date on 22 May, mixing big‑band standards, comedy and stories from their decades in showbusiness.

The New Theatre was one of a string of venues on the national run, giving city audiences a chance to see Mr Richie perform live alongside his long‑time friends.

On Wednesday, August 5, signs across University Parks warned that “recent dry weather” had caused an algal bloom, which it said, “may be harmful to humans and pets”.

This comes amid the identification of potential algal blooms across Oxfordshire.

These large growths of algae or bacteria in waterways can be dangerous to human health and fatal to dogs.

Signage near a historic bathing spot read: “Algae in the river.

“Please be aware that there is currently an algal bloom in the river caused by the recent dry weather conditions.

“This may be harmful to humans and pets so it is advisable NOT to enter the water or allow your dogs to do so until further notice.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

After Local Democracy Reporting Service enquiries about what kind of algae was suspected, potential impacts, whether this had been reported to the Environment Agency and if testing had been carried out, a spokesperson for the university said that the signs had been put up “as a precaution” and revealed the parks team “are now confident that this is not a potentially toxic algal bloom”.

(Image: Isabella Harris/LDRS)

They said: “In fact it is duckweed ( Lemna minor ), which has formed a thick mat resembling an algal bloom due to the low water levels, warm conditions, plentiful sunlight and slow river flow.

“Duckweed is native and completely harmless.

“There is therefore no risk to people or animals from poisonous algae – although the very low water levels and poor visibility means entering the water is still a bad idea.”

The signs have since been replaced, but had prompted criticism of water companies and fears about climate change impacts.

Oxfordshire councillors, MPs and campaign groups spoke out, calling for change.

While this algal bloom warning has been retracted, concerns remain about the impact of climate change and drought in Oxfordshire as well as the health of its waterways.

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology’s ‘Bloomin’ Algae maps’ show a “confirmed bloom” in the Farmoor Reservoir, and a “plausible” bloom at the Wolvercote Mill Stream.

The Environment Agency confirmed toxic blue-green algae at a lake in Hardwick Parks in Standlake between Witney and Abingdon.

The Environment Agency’s guidance says that toxin‑producing blooms “can kill wild animals, farm livestock and domestic pets,” and in humans “can cause rashes after skin contact and illnesses if swallowed.”

The NHS in Borders notes that human illness linked to blue‑green algae has included “skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, and pains in muscles and joints” after people swallowed or swam through algal scum, with some cases “severe” but no confirmed deaths.

Veterinary experts are clear that the risk is much higher for dogs.

The Royal Kennel Club similarly says “blue‑green algae can produce toxins that may be deadly to dogs” and advises owners not to let dogs drink from or swim in contaminated water.

English actor and broadcaster Peter Duncan, 72, who has written and directed pantomimes for Oxford Playhouse, is urging health authorities to approve focal therapy more broadly across the UK.

Mr Duncan, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, called the treatment “life-changing” after it successfully targeted the cancerous part of his prostate with minimal side effects.

Jeremy Clarkson is some of a few famous faces who have received focal therapy for prostate cancer (Image: PA)

Other public figures who have received focal therapy include Jeremy Clarkson and former prime minister Lord David Cameron.

Mr Duncan said: “I was originally offered a radical prostatectomy which would have removed the whole prostate, but I was lucky enough to be treated with focal therapy which was better for me and a less invasive option.

“It was a complete success, and I’ve only experienced very minor after-effects, allowing me to continue with my life as before.”

The treatment is backed by Prostate Cancer UK, which is urging the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to review and approve the treatment for wider use on the NHS.

Peter Duncan received prostate cancer therapy accessed by Jeremy Clarkson (Image: Alistair Wilson)

Amy Rylance, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Without a timeline from Nice, we simply don’t know how long men will have to wait for approval on the NHS.”

A recent report from Imperial College London found focal therapy is as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but carries a much lower risk of incontinence or erectile dysfunction.

One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.