EastEnders confirms date Shane Ritchie will return to BBC soap as Alfie Moon

EastEnders has confirmed a date for when Shane Ritchie will return to the BBC soap as character Alfie Moon

It has been four years since the TV favourite was last on Albert Square and this time, he is set to crash his ex-wife Kat Slater's (Jessie Wallace) marriage to Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).

Fans last saw Alfie fleeing Walford back in January 2019, making an enemy of Phil in the process. But on Monday, 12 September, Shane will be back and reportedly will do anything necessary to win the love of his life back.

The couple’s fiery relationship was at the centre of many major storylines during Shane’s tenure on the show, but their union came to a sudden end in 2018 when it emerged that Alfie had secretly fathered a son with her cousin Hayley.

Following the shocking revelation, the two parted ways, with Alfie and Kat officially calling time on their relationship as their divorce was finalised.

Shane has told how he was enticed back to the role with the promise of playing “the old Alfie”.

He said: “I was playing a drag queen at the time and I got the phone call and he (executive producer Chris Clenshaw) sold it to me.

“He said he wanted the old Alfie. Over the years there have been different Alfies and my favourite Alfie is from 2002 to 2005 and that’s the Alfie we got back.

“Chris was instrumental in telling me the long-term story line with Alfie, the old Alfie, the guy who looked after his Nana Moon, wore his heart on his sleeve and tried to make light of everything but through his own innocence and naivety still gets it wrong.

“The drama only works on a show like this if you get the light and the shade – I’m happy to come in and bring the lightness.

“I am happy to come and play the joker because that means the drama is so much greater.”

Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: “I think it was inevitable. Phil and Kat are together. Alfie is the love of Kat’s life so we had to bring him back on their wedding day.

“He is the old Alfie, the lovable rogue. He makes a lot of mistakes but he always has good intentions.

“Even if we weren’t telling this story, I probably think I would have found a way to bring Alfie back. I’m very fond of Alfie, an iconic character. It’s 20 years this year.”

EastEnders airs every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night at 7.30pm on BBC One.

READ MORE:

  • Alfie Moon is back! Shane Richie reprises EastEnders role after fleeing from Phil Mitchell and ex-wife Kat Slater
  • Shane Richie looks unrecognisable as he dons wig and bold eyeliner for drag role
  • Loose Women's Coleen Nolan slams ex Shane Richie's McDonalds proposal at 21
  • Shane Richie ‘rubbed pants on himself as a pick me up’ on I’m a Celeb
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