WALFORD EXTRA

Shane Richie, AKA Alfie, says he has been spending breaks in filming hanging out with the young actors who play his sons Tommy, Bert and Ernie, so that they have a more natural rapport on camera.

The 58-year-old explains, ‘When we get downtime, I’ve been saying to them, “Right, let’s improv. Who can make up the funniest line? Who can have a go at

Alfie and do some mickeytaking?” I want them to feel they can relax and play around in the scene we’re in. The stuff you’re seeing on screen now is a lot of me just having fun with the kids.’