EastEnders’ Shane Richie ‘grows closer’ to Jessie Wallace after she ‘voiced concerns’ about him amid marriage breakdown

HE is best known for his larger than life personality on set, but Shane Richie’s secret turmoil behind the scenes sparked concern from colleagues months BEFORE his drink-drive arrest.

And now we can reveal how the Alfie Moon actor has been leaning on his EastEnders co-star Jessie Wallace throughout his marriage breakdown.

Shane and Jessie fast became the BBC soap’s most iconic duo as the fiery on/off couple who have a can’t live with, can’t live without each other kind of love.

The pair, who currently run Albert Square’s famous pub, The Queen Vic, have worked together for the best part of 25 years and formed a real-life bond as they navigated life’s ups and downs in their personal lives.

Their loyal friendship has proven to be a lifeline for 62-year-old Shane in recent months as his 19-year marriage to Christie, 47, hit the rocks.

An insider told The Sun: “Jessie has been a shoulder to cry on for Shane.

“She voiced concern about his behaviour a while ago. He was clearly struggling and Jessie stepped up to support him.

“He’s been Jessie’s work husband for donkey’s years and she knows him inside out.

“The signs were there that he wasn’t in a good place and she’s been there for him ever since.

“Of course, they were always good friends, but have grown a lot closer throughout his break up.”

Last week, we revealed Shane and his second wife Christie secretly divorced in July — after she grew “fed up” with his behaviour.

Days later Shane was arrested for drink-driving after ranting at petrol station staff when he was asked not to vape on the premises for safety reasons.

He’s been charged and will appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 9.

A drink-driving conviction can be punished with six months in jail, but most offenders are hit with fines and driving bans of at least 12 months.

Jessie had a run-in with the law in 2003 when she was banned from driving for three years after being caught at the wheel of her Mercedes over the alcohol limit.

She was also arrested in 2022 for assaulting a police officer outside a nightclub. Jessie was released without charge but received a conditional caution.

She’s also been suspended twice by EastEnders for “drinking to excess and sparking adverse publicity”.

Our insider added: “Jessie has real-life experience of what Shane’s going through and will be able to relate to how he’s feeling.

“Shane was there for her throughout all her tough times. She’s very keen to repay the favour by taking him under her wing in his time of need and will be there for him no matter what.”

Despite being given a dressing-down by EastEnders bosses, Shane won’t face a suspension over his drink-drive charge.

He and Jessie have also been allowed time off over Christmas to take on lucrative panto jobs.

We previously told how insiders claimed the rest of the EastEnders cast are getting fed up that the soap’s biggest stars are regarded as “holy” and “untouchable” – having had similar requests denied.

“The unrest is another reason Shane and Jessie are closer than ever,” our source added.

“Simmering anger from other cast members over their preferential treatment has made it ‘us’ and ‘them’.”

Jessie – who has played Kat Moon since 2000 – will be Captain Hook in the New Wimbledon Theatre’s production of Peter Pan, while Shane is set to appear as Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Cliffs Pavilion theatre in Southend-on-Sea.

Their breaks will be written into the soap storyline to explain their absence to fans.

Despite their closeness, the pair have previously admitted being “uncomfortable” with their kissing scenes on the soap.

Jessie said: “Kissing Shane is like kissing my brother. It just feels weird and we are just close friends.”

Shane jokingly added: “We are sick of the sight of each other. When I snog Jesse it’s like kissing my nan.”

But he added: “This marriage has lasted longer than any of my real ones.

“We’ve played every emotion. We’ve split up. Infidelity, rape, cot death, baby swap, burned the house down – we’ve played everything. The audience has stuck with us.”

And, for 25 years, the close pals have stuck together too.