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EastEnders' Shane Richie reveals why he rejected return

Photo credit: Patrick Redmond / BBC
Photo credit: Patrick Redmond / BBC

From Digital Spy

Shane Richie has revealed his reasons for turning down an EastEnders return.

The actor, who first played Alfie Moon in 2002, will not be around as Jessie Wallace returns within the next couple of months.

Kat will reappear on Albert Square along with Big Mo (Laila Morse) and Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) to set Stacey (Lacey Turner) straight following her horrific encounter with Max Branning (Jake Wood) over Christmas.

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

But why did Richie reject the chance to return?

"I'm in a fortunate position where I can pick and choose what I want to do, and EastEnders at the moment, I said no to it," he told The Sun. "I just need to take a break from television and a little break away from showbiz.

"Trust me, it's not because I've got loads of money, because that is far from the truth. But I just need to pick and choose."

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Of course, that doesn't mean the door is permanently closed for a return for Alfie (even though he was last seen flatlining on the operating table in the finale of spin-off Redwater).

"Thankfully, Kat and Alfie are not dead. That's as much as I know," Richie confirmed in October. "You know what I love? Every time you get actors, they always say, 'Never say never'. And I've watched and I've gone, 'Shut up, never say never'.

"Because all these actors make out it's their decision whether they go back or not, and it's bollocks. It's never their decision.

Photo credit: East West Records
Photo credit: East West Records

"So I'd like to sit here and go, 'Maybe I'll see how I feel about it'. Trust me, if I get the phone call from EastEnders... I loved being there. I've got a lot of friends that are still there."

EastEnders airs on BBC One.


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Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest EastEnders spoilers, as Stacey returns to the Square, and the Carters could be about to lose the Queen Vic for good.

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