EastEnders stalwart Shane Richie is preparing to swap the Queen Vic for the glittering stage of Christmas pantomime, as the actor confirms a brief hiatus from the iconic BBC One soap.
The 59-year-old star, who has become a household name through his long-running portrayal of the lovable rogue Alfie Moon, will be taking a short break from filming. His departure is set to facilitate his starring role in a festive production of Jack and the Beanstalk later this year.
Fans need not worry about a permanent exit, as Richie's time away from Albert Square is expected to be temporary. Insiders indicate that the show's writers are crafting a compelling storyline to explain Alfie Moon's brief absence from Walford, ensuring a seamless narrative flow for viewers.
Richie's commitment to pantomime is a long-standing tradition in his career, with the actor regularly embracing the festive theatre season. His upcoming performance is already generating significant excitement among theatre-goers and EastEnders fans alike.
The BBC has remained tight-lipped about the specific details surrounding Alfie Moon's temporary exit storyline, ensuring that viewers will be kept in suspense until the episodes air. A spokesperson for the corporation confirmed that Richie's break has been planned and accommodated within the show's production schedule.
This isn't the first time Shane Richie has balanced his soap commitments with other projects. The versatile actor has previously taken brief periods away from EastEnders to pursue various theatrical and television opportunities, always returning to reprise his beloved character.
Alfie Moon first arrived in Walford in 2002 and quickly became one of the soap's most recognizable characters. His on-again, off-again relationship with Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace, has provided some of the show's most dramatic and memorable moments over two decades.
Production sources confirm that Richie will be returning to the Elstree studios after the pantomime season concludes, ensuring that Alfie Moon will continue to be a central figure in the unfolding drama of Albert Square throughout 2024.
