More Moon madness in Albert Square

Christmas Day dramas in Eastenders have become legendary, but star Shane Richie says that even by their standards this is a cracker.

“There is such a big shock on Christmas Day,” said Shane, who plays the irrepressible Alfie.

“Obviously I can’t tell you, but even when I read it I went, ‘Oh, you can’t do that, we’ve tipped it over the edge now.’

“It’s just a massive cliffhanger. I will be so intrigued to see the reaction on social media and how everything plays out after that.

“You always hope it’s going to be a classic Eastenders, but I think this one will go down as a big classic.

“Christmas Day is massive and I’ve been privileged enough to see some of it.”

Having been away from the flagship soap with the spin-off with Jessie Wallace’s Kat, Shane is delighted to be back with her in the Walford fold.

“It’s great! The first day I got back, there were a couple of people who went, ‘Where did you go?’ Like you’ve had a long holiday or something.

“It’s like a Ferris wheel. You get on and it’s going round and round, and occasionally some people step on and step off.

“And coming along with the Slaters all being together again and stepping into that – the whole madness.

“At the moment, we’re doing six days a week, which I enjoy though.”

Shane has seen Alfie is all sorts of situations over the years, but Alfie’s involvement with Hayley will really test things.

“Sometimes the strength in Kat and Alfie is seeing the trials and tribulations and if they come through them.

“But this is a tough one to come back from, after you see what happens.

“Someone’s got blood on their hands.”

Shane and Jessie have worked together in Eastenders and elsewhere and he says the chemistry is important.

“We do have a shorthand, and we have a relationship which as strong as it is on screen, it’s strong off screen as well,” adds Shane.