EastEnders' Behind-the-Scenes Turmoil: Shane Richie's Drink-Drive Arrest Sparks Cast Fury Over 'Favouritism'

EASTENDERS has been hit by a brand new backstage crisis with a cast revolt on the horizon following Shane Richie’s shocking drink drive arrest.

After The Sun exposed how the star is now facing a conviction for his behaviour, we can now exclusively lift the lid for the very first time on exactly what some of his co-stars really think of him and – it is far from rosy. From backstage rows to a fury over money, here’s the inside story…

The Sun can reveal how actor Shane Richie’s drink-drive arrest has left his co-stars fuming Credit: SWNS His co-stars are said to be ‘fed up’ with his special treatment Credit: BBC

fans were left open-mouthed when The Sun shared dramatic footage of .

The by rowing with staff members at a petrol station when he was asked not to vape on the premises for safety reasons.

It left a cloud of mystery over whether Shane’s job in EastEnders was really in jeopardy, but we can reveal that it is expected that he will be staying put.

And it is this ‘one rule for one and one rule for another’ approach that is seemingly leaving his co-stars absolutely furious.

Shane was arrested amid a disagreement over his vaping habits – which led to cops nicking him for drunk-driving Credit: SWNS Shane and co-star Jessie are being accused of getting special treatment Credit: BBC His recent antics are said to have not gone down well with his former soap pals Credit: SWNS He has already been allowed extra time off Credit: Alamy

Our insiders have claimed the EastEnders lot are getting fed up that certain stars are regarded as ‘holy’ and ‘untouchable’.

Shane has already been granted time off later this year to rake in a six-figure payday for a panto appearance.

Some of his other co-stars, already earning much less than him for their day jobs, claim they have had similar requests denied.

One of our Walford insiders spilled all of the juicy details, confessing: “Nothing will happen [to Shane]. Nothing ever does to the favourites.

“Jessie [Wallace] and Shane are both given time off to effectively double their salaries while others aren’t allowed unless it works for the show.

“They say it’s down to the story but when it’s the same people allowed time off time and time again then it seems like it’s not about the story and more about keeping a select few happy.”

It is thought that EastEnders chiefs are scared to potentially ruffle the feathers of some of their most beloved cast members and so aren’t planning to disrupt the peace when it comes to Shane.

He has and has been given leave many other times to appear in various productions and accept work himself as a personality.

All this is understood to have played into even more simmering backstage tension.

Our source went on to add: “There’s no secret the show is struggling at the moment and morale is very low but every time something like this happens it just gets worse.

“Not everyone has a huge deal or ego to match and they have to turn up every day and work and be professional – cast and crew – and then to see others on huge pay just swan in and out and behave like this – it is so bad.

“Of course if someone’s struggling then there’s sympathy, but no-one’s forcing them to take on extra work to make an extra six figures.

“It’s more money than most can dream of. It’s no excuse.

“There are actors on the show who are much more popular with fans and work relentlessly for a fifth of what the big names are making.

“But they aren’t getting time off to make £100k for a few weeks work.”

Shane’s current downfall came after he was filmed being arrested after a foul-mouthed tirade with workers of a petrol station.

The video shows Richie — Alfie Moon on the soap — arguing with workers who challenged him about an e-cigarette after he arrived at the garage just after 11pm.

In footage obtained by The Sun, the 62, can be heard on camera saying “f*** off” and “I don’t give a “f***” after being told there was dangerous.

The manager called , who arrived and arrested the actor for drink-driving. He is due in court next month.

A source said at the time of his arrest: “It’s extraordinary he behaved like that — especially if he’d been drinking.

“It was stupid and he was also being quite argumentative with staff. They didn’t know who he was at first. It was only after the police came that they realised.”