• Do YOU have a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
• See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source

Shane Richie appeared bleary-eyed as he stepped out of his car ahead of being arrested at an Essex petrol station on Wednesday.

The row at the Tesco petrol station in Harlow this week began after Shane, real name Shane Roche, drove his white Hyundai onto the forecourt seemingly with a flat tyre.

After exiting his vehicle and being spotted with a large vape by staff, the actor was told he could not smoke at the station.

Brandishing the vape, he replied: 'It's not smoking.' Upon realising he was being filmed, the EastEnders star then claimed: 'This is not a vape.'

After staff told him the vape 'is a risk', the actor, while reaching back inside his car and with his back to the employee, said: 'I don't give a f***.'

Shane Richie appeared bleary-eyed as he stepped out of his car ahead of being arrested at an Essex petrol station on Wednesday

The row at the Tesco petrol station in Harlow this week began after Shane, real name Shane Roche, drove his white Hyundai onto the forecourt seemingly with a flat tyre

After exiting his vehicle and being spotted with a large vape by staff, the actor was told he could not smoke at the station

As the manager of the petrol station phoned police, claiming Shane was being 'aggressive,' he told the man filming: 'Someone's coming to change my tyre.'

Police were later seen arriving at the forecourt.

He was arrested and later charged with drink-driving. He is set to appear in court next month. It is a criminal offence to smoke a cigarette at a petrol station due to the danger posed by sparks in the proximity of fuel, which is highly flammable.

It is not a specific offence to vape on forecourts, but firms strictly prohibit it over concerns about the same risk.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: 'Officers were called to reports of a suspected drink-driver in Church Langley Way, Harlow, shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday July 29.

'On arrival, officers arrested a man. A charge of drink-driving has subsequently been authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Surrey. He is due to appear at magistrates' court on Wednesday, September 9.'

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 has walked away from their business together.

As the manager of the petrol station phoned police, claiming Shane was being 'aggressive,' he told the man filming: 'Someone's coming to change my tyre'

He stood with his hands behind his back during the exchange

It emerged on Friday the EastEnders star has been charged with drink-driving.

The star, who plays Alfie Moon on the BBC soap, was challenged after he was seen vaping at the Tesco petrol station.

Now a new report in 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 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. When Shane gets stressed he does like a drink, he has made no secret of that.'

Shane spoke to a member of staff during the event

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.'

Next month Shane is due to perform in nationwide theatre tour Prat Pack alongside Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley and Joe Pasquale but the publication claims there are fears he will be away with his 'drinking buddies from the nineties' for a whole month.

There are now also reported questions over his marriage to actress Christie Goddard who he wed in 2007. They have three children together.

The publication claims 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.

A representative for Shane has been contacted by The Daily Mail for comment.