Shane Richie ‘given dressing down by bosses’ at EastEnders — but WON’T be suspended as Alfie

SHANE Richie’s turmoil in his personal life isn’t sitting well with EastEnders bosses, but they are sticking by him and won’t suspend his character Alfie Moon. The Sun can exclusively reveal Shane has felt the wrath of the BBC soap’s top brass, but ultimately they want to help him get his life back on track. Shane Richie will keep the role of Alfie Moon despite his personal troubles Credit: BBC He quietly divorced wife Christie last month Credit: Getty The actor, 62, has been on a downward spiral in recent weeks having been charged with drink-driving as he dealt with the end of his 19-year marriage to wife Christie, 47. An insider told us: “Shane had a strip torn off him by EastEnders bosses for his drink-driving arrest, however they are sticking by him and no further action is being taken. Sign up for the Eastenders newsletter Thank you! “He’s a huge part of the show and the cast and crew only want the best for him. They’ve offered him help, support and are sticking by him.” A representative for EastEnders declined to comment. READ MORE ON SHANE RICHIE TV star Shane was arrested for drink-driving at an Essex petrol station Credit: SWNS He was caught on camera arguing with staff over his vape Credit: SWNS Shane was pictured back at work on the soap last week filming a funeral scene with co-stars Jessie Wallace and Gillian Wright. He secretly divorced Christie last month, just days before he was caught on camera at a Tesco petrol station in Essex arguing with staff who weren’t happy about his use of a vape by the pumps. The difficult time has seen Shane sell the family’s five bedroom, £1.75million home in Reigate, Surrey, where the couple lived for 18 years with kids Mackenzie Blue, 20, Lolita Bell, 18, and Romani-Skye Angel Shelley, 15. A source told us: “No divorce is pretty but they’ve tried to be as amicable as possible for their children.” Most read in Showbiz Friends said it was Christie who pushed for the split. A source added: “She had put up with a lot over the years. “She got fed up with his behaviour and did not take the decision lightly. “There is a feeling he has been working hard and playing hard and that his behaviour has spiralled a bit.” The pair started dating in 2001, when they met while working as actors in local pantomimes. They married six years later in 2007. Comment now