EastEnders star Shane Richie pleads not guilty to being almost double drink driving limit after police were called 'when he argued with petrol station staff over vaping'

TV star Shane Richie today denied drink-driving following an incident in which police were called when he pulled into a petrol station and appeared to argue with staff about vaping on the forecourt.The incident at the Tesco petrol station in Harlow, Essex, began after Richie, who plays Alfie Moon in EastEnders, drove his white Hyundai onto the forecourt, seemingly with a flat tyre.Video taken by staff showed him being told he could not smoke on the premises after he was spotted with the large vape.Holding the device, he insisted ‘It's not smoking' and then added 'This is not a vape.'After staff told him the vape 'is a risk', the footage showed him reaching inside his car and, with his back to the employee, saying: 'I don't give a f***.'As the manager of the petrol station phoned police, claiming Richie was being 'aggressive’, the soap star told the man filming: 'Someone's coming to change my tyre.'Police arrived at the forecourt just after 11pm on July 29.Richie, 62, was arrested and later charged with drink-driving. Shane Richie, 62, denied drink-driving at Colchester Magistrates Court today The EastEnders star was videoed by staff at the Tesco petrol stationBut Colchester Magistrates Court today heard the defendant, who appeared under his real name of Roche, would be disputing the prosecution’s evidence about the comments he made.Witnesses to be called will include police officers, the petrol station cashier and the duty manager.Richie, who wore a tan jacket and grey t-shirt as he appeared by videolink in a mushroom-colour room, listened carefully and frowned as prosecutor Vladimir Silea set out the case against him.Mr Silea said: ‘When [he was] approached, the officers explained the reason for speaking to him.’He added: ‘Police conducted a road-side breath test at the scene. After numerous attempts it was not provided.‘He was arrested for failing to provide a specimen.’Richie was then taken by police to Harlow police station where he was tested again.The lower test result was 55mg per 100ml of breath, Mr Silea said. The legal limit is 35mg. Richie, who appeared under his real name of Roche, is a central character in the BBC soapAt one point during the hearing the shape of the screen in which Richie appeared changed.District Judge Christopher Maynard judge asked if he could see the court and he replied: ‘Sorry about that. I’m in a hotel, up North, and I have quickly swapped it from my iPad to my phone. I do apologise.’There were further problems and Raj Chada, defending, said: ‘We’ve spoken to Mr Roche and there continues to be some connection problems, I’m afraid.'The court sat in silence waiting for Richie to reappear on the videolink and the judge asked if he could see proceedings when he returned.‘Hi everybody, I totally apologise. Yes, sorry I can,’ he said.There was further disruption as a door could be heard slamming and the judge said: ‘Whoever is slamming doors and whose phone is going off in the background, please stop.’Mr Chada, who was also appearing by videolink, admitted he was to blame for the noise. Insiders say he has been under a lot of pressure with his 'gruelling schedule'When quiet resumed, District Judge Maynard said: ‘Mr Roche, while you were disconnected from the court I have set various dates…‘We have listed your case for a full day’s hearing for November 17 next year at 10am back at Colchester Magistrates Court.‘You will be expected to attend in person. Hopefully you will be able to sort out your diary by then.‘You are expected to remain in good contact with your legal representative. It’s important that they can remain in good contact with you.’Richie, who was granted unconditional bail, was asked if he wanted to say anything.He said: ‘I just want to apologise for losing the link. I do apologise.’When the judge said he could go, Richie told him: ‘Take care, bye bye.’Following the arrest, it was reported that fears are rife within his circle over his 'gruelling schedule' and 'nineties drinking buddies', amid claims his wife, Christie Goddard, has walked away from the business they run together.The Sun has claimed those close to Shane think he could be 'spiralling' and could end up being let go from the soap.A source told the publication: 'This has been a long time coming. Shane has been struggling to keep up with the demands of his workload and it appears it has all got a bit much. Everyone is so concerned about him.'Since his character Alfie [Moon] took over as landlord of the Queen Vic, he has been filming all the time because he is at the centre of the show.'It is a pretty gruelling schedule. Plus, he's got a big tour in September, which he has been rehearsing for.'The source went on to claim that BBC bosses 'won't take the incident lightly', adding: 'It wouldn't be a surprise if they suspended him.'There are now also reported questions over his marriage to his actress wife, Christie, who he wed in 2007 and with whom he has three children.The Sun claimed that Christie was terminated as director of their joint company Bluebelle Skye Productions in June, so now has no control over the business empire they have run together since 2017.