Benidorm ITV star due in court next month

The 62-year-old actor appeared in the hit TV series in 2016 and 2018 as Sammy Valentino, a disgraced British former celebrity singer.

He appeared on Benidorm in series eight episode seven, and series 10, episodes four and seven.

Benidorm, a sitcom around British tourists enjoy a vacation in Solana Resort in the Spanish town, aired for 10 series between 2007 and 2018.

And now the actor Shane Richie, who played Sammy, will appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 9 charged with drink driving.

Best known for playing Alfie Moon in EastEnders, Richie was arrested in Harlow after officers were called to reports of a suspected drink-driver shortly before 11.20pm, Essex Police said.

In a statement, the force said: “Officers were called to reports of a suspected drink driver in the area of Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday 29 July.

“On arrival, officers arrested a man. A charge of drink driving has subsequently been authorised against Shane Roche [the actor’s real name], 62, of Tadworth, Surrey.

“He is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday September 9.”

Richie previously performed at the New Theatre Oxford in 2006 in a production of Scrooge.