EastEnders actor Shane Richie has pleaded not guilty to a charge of drink-driving and faces a trial next year.
The 62-year-old, best known for playing Alfie Moon in the long-running soap, appeared by video-link before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday under his real name Shane Roche.
Richie, of Tadworth, Surrey, is accused of driving a white Hyundai car in Church Langley Way, Harlow, Essex while above the legal limit for alcohol on July 29.
He is alleged to have provided a breath sample of 65 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which is above the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol.
Vladimir Silea, prosecuting, said police attended a Tesco petrol station in Church Langley Way at 11.15pm on July 29 where Richie was arrested and taken to Harlow police station.
He said that officers “commenced the drink and drug driving procedure” at the police station, and the lower reading provided was of 65 micrograms of alcohol.
On Wednesday, Richie spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address and to enter his plea of not guilty.
He briefly dropped off the video-link to the court and when the connection was re-established he apologised to the judge, saying: “Sorry, I’m in a hotel up north.”
Deputy District Judge Christopher Maynard bailed Richie until November 17 2027 when he is due to stand trial at the same court.
At the end of the hearing, Richie said “take care, bye bye” before disconnecting from the link.
Richie, who came fourth on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020, has hosted a number of TV game shows and appeared in pantomimes.
Raj Chada, head of criminal defence at Hodge Jones & Allen, who represents Shane Richie, 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.”
