ALFIE’S OVER THE MOON TO BE BACK
‘Fun, frolics and fibs’ as Square’s charmer returns
HE hasn’t set foot in Albert Square for almost four years but Alfie Moon is returning to EastEnders after actor Shane Richie clinched a deal.
Almost two decades since first arriving in Walford, former Queen Vic landlord Alfie is back this autumn, with ex-wife Kat Slater and nemesis Phil Mitchell first in line to give him what-for.
His return will not please Kat, played by Jessie Wallace, who ended their marriage in 2018 after discovering Alfie was the dad of her cousin Hayley’s baby.
The following year Alfie decided to flee Walford, making an enemy of Phil, played by Steve McFadden, by stealing money from him. But Alfie, as ever, will be hoping to charm his way out of trouble.
Shane, 58, said: “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be asked back to my TV home of Albert Square. I’m looking forward to catching up with old cast-mates and meeting some new ones.
“The new exec producer Chris Clenshaw has been instrumental in wanting to bring Alfie Moon back with some wonderful storylines… and who am I to say no? I can’t wait.” Soap boss Clenshaw added: “Shane Richie created one of the most iconic, loveable and most memorable characters in soap, and to welcome him back to Walford is an absolute pleasure.
“A lot has happened since Alfie has been away but wherever his floral shirts go you can expect fun, frolics and, of course, the odd porky-pie. We’re over the moon to have him home.”
The actor’s second stint on the BBC soap ended in 2015 when he and Jessie left to star in spin-off Redwater, which flopped.
He returned for his third stint in 2018, and later appeared on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! at the height of the pandemic.